This 92-Year-Old Ran a Marathon—And Made History Doing It

(Photoday via Fidal)

In a world constantly chasing youth and speed, 92-year-old Antonio Rao is proof that greatness doesn’t have an age limit. On March 16, 2025, he crossed the finish line of the Rome Marathon in 6 hours, 44 minutes, and 16 seconds—becoming a global symbol of endurance, resilience, and unstoppable human spirit.

This wasn’t just a bucket list moment or a lucky day. It was Rao’s 30th consecutive Rome Marathon.

That’s right—he’s been lacing up and pounding the Roman pavement since the 1990s. While many runners struggle to stay consistent for even a season, Rao has been doing it for decades. And he’s still improving—this year, he ran the course ten minutes faster than he did the year before.

“I haven’t been feeling well lately, and I didn’t think I could finish it,” he said post-race. “Instead, I finished with a time ten minutes less than last year.”

Talk about grit.

Born in Calabria and later settling in Rome, Rao began running as a young boy. What started as a necessity—often walking or running to get places—grew into a lifelong habit, and eventually, a passion that would shape his legacy. Now, over 80 years later, that little boy who once ran barefoot through Italian streets is a record-setter on the world stage.

In 2023, he shocked the global running community by setting a world record for the M90 age group, completing the Rome Marathon in 6 hours, 14 minutes. That time beat the previous record by a full 30 minutes—a stunning achievement in any age group, let alone for a man in his 90s.

His weekly training? Still rock solid. Rao logs 20 to 30 kilometers per week, keeping his body and mind sharp. His approach is humble and simple, but deeply consistent.

“Running, walking is life,” he says. “I invite everyone to do it.”

That philosophy goes beyond physical fitness. For Rao, movement is mental clarity. It’s therapy. It’s connection to self. And perhaps more importantly, it’s a message to the world: it’s never too late.

Antonio Rao’s story couldn’t be more relevant today. As society grapples with aging populations, rising health concerns, and the pressures of constant productivity, Rao shows us another path—one where persistence beats perfection and passion outruns age.

He isn’t just running marathons. He’s running through stereotypes. Through doubt. Through excuses. And into the history books.

So the next time you feel too tired, too old, too out-of-shape to move—think of Antonio. Think of mile 25. Think of a 92-year-old man, in the heart of Rome, still chasing the finish line like it’s the first time.

Because if there’s one thing Rao’s story proves, it’s this:

You’re never too old to start. You’re never too old to keep going. And you’re never too old to inspire the world.