Mike Fremont: A 90-Year-Old Who Redefined What’s Possible with a 6:35:47 Marathon

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When you picture life at 90, you probably think of slow mornings, maybe a few walks in the park, and plenty of rest. But for Mike Fremont, that vision couldn’t be further from reality.

At 90 years old, this remarkable man from Ohio did something that stunned the running community he ran a full marathon.

And he didn’t just cross the finish line. He shattered a world record.

A Record That Turned Heads

In 2012, at the Marshall University Marathon in Huntington, West Virginia, Mike Fremont clocked a jaw-dropping time of 6 hours, 35 minutes, and 47 seconds.

That performance set a world record for the men’s 90+ age group (M90).

To the uninitiated, that pace might not seem fast. But anyone familiar with marathon running and the physical demands of aging knows just how monumental that time really is.

Mike didn’t just survive the distance he thrived. His stride was smooth, his effort consistent, and his smile wide the entire way.

A Late Bloomer Turned Icon

What makes Mike’s story even more incredible is that he didn’t start running until later in life. It wasn’t until his 50s, following a personal tragedy and, later, a colon cancer diagnosis at age 69, that he turned to the sport.

Doctors gave him three months to live.

But Mike chose a different path. He overhauled his lifestyle, committed to a plant-based diet, cut out unnecessary stress, and hit the trails.

Miraculously, he beat cancer without undergoing chemotherapy. He even outlived the doctors who doubted his survival.

Then, he kept running.

Running Well into His 90s (and Beyond)

By the time he reached his 90s, Mike had completed over 20 marathons, not to mention countless shorter races. His longevity secret? “It’s 90% diet,” he insists. Mike attributes his thriving health to his vegan lifestyle, calm mindset, and daily movement.

“Running? That’s just the icing on the cake,” he says with a grin.

But what truly sets him apart isn’t just his records. It’s his spirit.

Always upbeat, always cheering others on, Mike has become a beacon of inspiration at every race he enters.

Changing the Way We See Aging

Mike Fremont didn’t just break a record he redefined the limits of aging.

He’s proof that it’s never too late to turn your life around, start a new habit, or even become a world champion in your ninth decade.

Today, well past the century mark, Mike still runs 5Ks, appears in interviews, and speaks out on causes close to his heart including plant-based nutrition and environmental advocacy.

So next time you think you're too old, too tired, or too late to begin again think of Mike Fremont.

At 90, he didn’t just run a marathon.

He made history.