Gloria Vasquez, a 74-year-old grandmother from Kissimmee, Florida, is preparing to run her 97th marathon this coming Sunday at the DONNA Marathon in Jacksonville Beach. Taking on the chilly weather, Vasquez's participation in the marathon is more than a personal endeavor—it's a tribute to her late sister Isabel, who succumbed to breast cancer a decade ago. The DONNA Marathon is known for fundraising for the Donna Foundation, an organization dedicated to aiding breast cancer patients with unforeseen expenses.
Though she now finds solace in the sunny realms of Florida, Vasquez's roots trace back to Colombia, where she secured her first victory in racing at the tender age of eight, her prize being a simple Coca-Cola, as First Coast News reported. This joy sparked a lasting passion for running. Before hitting 60, she had already run marathons in all 50 states, now she's set to slowly chase down her goal of running 100 marathons before her 100th year.
Her drive is not solely fueled by personal records. Vasquez's journey to America was one of survival and reinvention; as a single mother, she fled domestic violence and thanks to her sister Isabel's unwavering support, she was able to establish a new life for her family, according to an interview with Action News Jax. Isabel's memory remains a beacon guiding her marathon pursuits.
Vasquez's extraordinary athletic resume includes 15 New York City Marathons, 4 Boston Marathons, 7 half-Ironman races, and 10 triathlons, an homage to her tenacity. She was also recognized as a torch bearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics—a nod to her community service. "You're getting old? No, no, no, not me. I'm not getting old. I just keep going," Vasquez told First Coast News, echoing the determination that has carried her through the decades.
Following the DONNA Marathon, Vasquez will have three marathons left, with plans to finish her 100th in New York City, turning her full circle moment into a reality. Her advice for those who ponder age as a boundary to their dreams: "Just focus one mile at a time, just one mile at a time. All of a sudden, you're at the finish line," as mentioned on First Coast News.
