James Thomas Finishes Final NYC Marathon at Age 78
James Thomas was the last to cross the finish line of the NYC Marathon at 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, marking what he said would be his last time participating in the race, sports.yahoo.com reported. Finishing last among the approximately 60,000 participants, Thomas completed his 43rd appearance in the iconic event at 78 years old. The 2026 race celebrated the 50th anniversary of the five-borough course, which welcomed a field featuring professional athletes and celebrities alongside everyday runners.
Body and Mind Collaboration on the Course
Your mind says, ‘Yeah, you can do it,’ but it’s your body that’s gonna carry you, Thomas said in a post-marathon interview with New York Mickey on TikTok, as reported by sports.yahoo.com. It’s gotta work as a team.
Video footage captured him crossing the final timing mat to collect his finisher’s medal late Sunday night.
Nonagenarian Finisher Marty Granoff Completes Sixth Marathon
While Thomas wrapped up his decades-long marathon journey, another veteran runner achieved a milestone on the same course. Marty Granoff, aged 90, finished the race in 8 hours and 26 minutes, marking his sixth completed marathon, sports.yahoo.com reported. Granoff initially aimed to run a marathon when he turned 80, but health setbacks delayed those plans.
James Thomas and Marty Granoff Complete Marathon Records
When did James Thomas start running marathons?
James Thomas began running long-distance races in 1980, according to sports.yahoo.com. Over the following decades, he accumulated 43 finishes in the New York City Marathon before concluding his participation at age 78.
What was Marty Granoff’s finishing time?
Marty Granoff completed the 2026 New York City Marathon in 8 hours and 26 minutes, as reported by sports.yahoo.com. This performance marked the sixth marathon finish of his running career at 90 years old.
How many runners participated in the NYC Marathon?
Approximately 60,000 runners took part in the event, which commemorated its 50th anniversary by routing participants through all five boroughs of New York City, according to sports.yahoo.com.
More on James Thomas
James Thomas was the final runner to cross the finish line at the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. The 78-year-old completed his 43rd marathon; he ran his first in 1980. pic.twitter.com/wLTjEf8AU6
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