This year’s Philadelphia Marathon Weekend saw 28,495 racers complete the 8-kilometer, 13.1-mile and 26.2-mile courses, according to the race website.
Among the 12,381 finishers of Sunday’s Philadelphia Marathon was Gloria Vasquez, a 73-year-old grandmother from Kissimmee, Fla.
It was Vasquez’s 94th marathon, and moved her closer to her goal to run 100 before she turns 100. She likes a challenge. Previously, she ran a marathon in all 50 states before she turned 60 and was a torch bearer for 2002’s Salt Lake City Olympics for her community work in New York.
Vasquez finished the race in 6 hours, 50 minutes and 41 seconds. She said it was probably her slowest-ever time, which she attributed to the cold temperatures Sunday.
“It was freezing, the wind was really cold,” she said. “But I toughed it out and I finished, that was important.”
Vasquez, a mother of four and grandmother of eight, got support along the route from many members of her family who were in town. They provided her with a warmer change of clothes early on, along with some warm oatmeal and some cappuccino during the race to ward off the chill. Her son Ed Barrera ran along with her for 16 miles, showing up with a hot tea for Vasquez and accompanying her to the finish. She said Barrera originally planned on joining her for three miles.
Vasquez was also inspired by the large crowds on Sunday, which she said reminded her of the New York City Marathon, which was her first back in 1978 and is set to be her 100th.
“This brought back all the memories of New York City, the wonderful cheers. People are amazing,” she said.
Vasquez said that when some spectators saw her sign saying “my 94th marathon” they hugged and congratulated her, and urged her to continue.
Vasquez runs a daycare business back in Kissimmee. She said that the joy of running 26.2 miles feels the same as when she first started.
“I love my marathons, so I never get tired … I don’t know, running for me has always been my life. So when I’m in my race, I’m enjoying it,” Vasquez said.
How did Vasquez spend the day after the race? Hiking in Baltimore with her daughter.
“It wasn’t too much, maybe six miles, that’s it,” she said.
Vasquez said she does about two marathons a year, and plans to return for next year’s Philly Marathon to make it No. 96, after she races in Melbourne, Fla., in February.
Vasquez said a granddaughter who lives here asked her to run in Philly, but was out of town in California on race day. Vasquez promised to return next year, news that delighted her granddaughter enough that she has offered to pay the registration fee for next year’s race.
