Former MP finishes marathon at 92

Take note – story published 7 years ago

At the age of 92, Visvaldis Lācis, a former member of the Latvian parliament, and a member and historian of the World War II Latvian Legion, finished the Valmiera Marathon with a time of 8:13:51 on Sunday, the organizers told the press. Lācis has thus become one of the oldest runners ever to finish the 42.195 km Marathon distance.

There is disagreement over who's the oldest person in the world to run the marathon.

In 2011 Fauja Singh, then 100, finished the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, becoming the first centenarian to officially complete that distance. His his age could not be verified however.

In 2015, 92-year-old Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina, completed the San Diego Marathon in 7:24:36. She was 92 years and 65 days old when she completed the marathon.

While Visvaldis Lācis, born on March 12, 1924, finished the marathon on the day he was 92 years and 191 days old. 

Lācis started at 7 a.m. and finished shortly after 3 p.m. He was accompanied by two cyclists throughout the distance.

After finishing, Lācis said he wanted some kefir and that he wants to take part in the Valmiera marathon next year too.

A total of 155 people ran in the Valmiera Marathon. Five did not finish.

Some other seniors ran the half marathon distance, like octogenarians Ervīns Kaļass and Nadežda Kavtaskina, as well as septuagenarian Juris Bērziņš. 

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles
Culture

More

Most important