A Run for the Record Books: 92-Year-Old Dynamo Completes San Diego Marathon

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Kicking yourself for not working out this weekend? Here's another morale crusher. A 92-year-old just became the oldest woman to ever finish a marathon. And did I mention, she's also a cancer survivor...

Harriette Thompson scuttled past the finish line after a grueling 7 hour-, 7 minute-, and 42 second- jaunt at the Suja Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon on Sunday, setting the world record for the fastest marathon ever completed by a woman 90 years or older. The previous record holder was the spry 92-year-old Gladys Burrill, who managed to complete the 2010 Honolulu Marathon in a brisk 9 hours, 53 minutes, and 16 seconds.

So how does a 92-year-old achieve what most humans would not dare attempt?

"I put one foot down and then another one," Thompson said, following Sunday's race. "Actually, I don't know. It's just I love to run."

Thomson starting running at the wee age of 76. She channels her energies into raising money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and has raised over $90,000 to date.

This former concert pianist has known greater hurdles than racing. Aside from bouts with cancer, she has overcome radiation treatment, staph infections, and her greatest challenge - the loss of her husband in January.

But still she runs. Her 56-year-old son, Brenneman, helped her through Sunday's competition, fueling her with Gatorade, PowerBars, fruit, and pretzels. And according to her fundraising page, she brought in another $14,850 for the Society.

When asked if she would return next year, Thompson smiled.

"I believe this will be my last time, but my friends remind me that I say that every year."