Age is no hurdle
74-year-old runner to participate in first marathon
Eby KELLY JACKSON Reporter
EEarning more than 200 trophies, plaques and medals from athletic races held across the country, Gloria Santarpia has bested more than just her competition. She has beaten age.

Gloria Santarpia will compete in the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 26, in Arlington, Va. She will be the oldest runner, at age 74, out of 35,000 competitors. Although she has competed in plenty of races, this marks her first marathon.

Santarpia, at age 74, runs more miles in one day than most Americans spend driving to and from work. She starts in Amherst and runs through Tonawanda, then turns around and retraces her path to her home in Amherst. That's about 18 to 20 miles to help prepare her for her first marathon.

"I like clearing my mind and my body while running. Plus, it's a challenge. At this age, there's no challenges anymore, so I like to challenge myself," she said.

On Oct. 26, Santarpia will compete in the 33rd Marine Corps Marathon, sporting a T-shirt in honor of her grandson, Jeremy, who returned from Iraq five months ago.

Out of an estimated 35,000 runners, she will be the oldest competitor participating in the marathon, which she learned after the event media called to tell her.

"I know it's going to be tough, but I can't psyche myself out. Being the oldest, I have to do good," Santarpia said.

With a son and daughter, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Santarpia has won first place in her age group, 70-74, at the Utica Games, the World Senior Games and the Empire State Games and has been awarded "Runner of the Year" twice.

Santarpia had always been a walker, but five years ago, her son, Sabatino, 50, planned to run in a 5K. She joined him, won second place in her age group and "has been hooked ever since," she said.

She joined Checkers Athletic Club, a running club for people of all ages, following her first race.

When her husband, Charlie, passed away the same year, she said she wanted to give up running all together. However, after receiving endless amounts of support from her Checkers friends, especially Michele Bauman, she felt motivated to continue running and has since competed in seven half-marathons.

In addition to training for a marathon, Santarpia works twice a week at Amherst Pediatrics.

"Just because you're older, that doesn't mean you can stop being active. You have to participate and do something to support others," Santarpia said. "You can't just vegetate."

Santarpia does anything but vegetate. She lost her 5-year-old daughter to leukemia and since she began running, tries to run in every charity event she can.

"You have to help; you have to do something," she said.

Her participation in charity runs and various competitions has helped her defeat the physical struggles many people her age face.

While her friends are beginning to feel the pains of aging, Santarpia said she avoids thinking about it.

"Any aches or pains, you run through it. You just do it. I think it keeps me younger," she said.

Santarpia often experiences the sharp shooting pains associated with plantar fasciitis, an inflammatory condition of the foot caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia, which supports the arch.

But her "runner's high" gets her through it.

"I love the high from it. When you're at the finish line and you know you're done, that feeling of accomplishment and realizing you just did that eliminates any pain," said Santarpia.

During the races, she said she thinks about her daughter, her brother and her husband, all of whom she's lost, for inspiration to perform better.

Hoping her success will inspire others, Santarpia said, "I want people to think, 'If she can do this, then I can, too.'"

The 33rd Marine Corps Marathon, held in Arlington, Va., will begin at 8 a.m Sunday, Oct. 26. Santarpia hopes to do well, but she will not be running for time.

"I'm going to give it my best, but I just want to finish," she said.