- 92 runners completed all 40 LA Marathons since 1986, including 10 women and members using wheelchairs
- Oldest participant, 87-year-old Rick Bingham, trains via wheelchair and aims for 50th race
- Group formalized in 2002 now meets monthly, overcoming surgeries, vertigo, and personal tragedies
When the Los Angeles Marathon began in 1986, few anticipated that 92 athletes would still be crossing its finish line four decades later. These Legacy Runners, now aged 60-87, have transformed personal struggles into triumphs of human endurance. From double knee replacements to wheelchair adaptations, their stories redefine aging and athleticism.
The group's origins trace back to the 1984 Summer Olympics, which inspired LA to create its own marathon. Early participants like Lou Briones, 77, recall running past landmarks shaped by Tom Bradley's mayoral tenure and a city grappling with the AIDS crisis. Briones' commitment saw him finish on crutches post-surgery, embodying their motto: No matter what, be at the starting line.
Research shows long-term marathon training can reduce cardiovascular risks by 29% in seniors (Journal of Sports Medicine, 2023). The Legacy Runners validate this through action - 80-year-old May DuBois attributes her immunity to daily 5-mile runs, while Sharon Kerson, 83, maintains strength through 600+ lifetime marathons.
Los Angeles' running culture offers a unique case study in community resilience. After the Challenger disaster and Reagan-era politics, the marathon became a unifying force. Today, organizers honor participants reaching 5-year milestones, with 2028's Olympics expected to inspire new generations.
As Cliff Housego, 76, notes: Through divorces and losing my daughter, this race remained constant.With adaptive equipment like Rick Bingham's spare wheelchair keeping Luis Gallardo, 71, in the competition, the group proves endurance transcends physical limits. Their next collective goal? The 50th LA Marathon in 2035, where Bingham plans to cross the line at 97.