Jeannie Rice: A Marathon Legend at 77
At the remarkable age of 77, Jeannie Rice has once again made headlines in the world of competitive running. During the recently held 2025 Sydney Marathon, she clocked an impressive time of 3:37:48, securing victory in the female 75–79 division. This extraordinary achievement not only adds to her already extensive marathon resume but also marks her as the first runner—regardless of age or gender—to clinch wins in all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.
With this latest victory, Jeannie joins an exclusive group of athletes, having now won her age group at world-renowned marathons including Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, Tokyo, and now Sydney. What is even more notable is that she has accomplished this across two distinct age groups: first as a 70–74 competitor and now in the 75–79 category.
The Sydney Marathon is often regarded as one of the most challenging among the seven major events due to its hilly terrain and warmer climate. In such conditions, Rice’s finish time of 3:37 is notably close to her own world record of 3:33:27 in the 75–79 age group, which she set at the 2024 London Marathon. Impressively, she also finished ahead of the first male competitor in her age category—a feat she has consistently achieved across six of the seven Majors.
This season was not expected to be a triumph for the seasoned athlete. A training accident late in 2024 led to her missing the Berlin Marathon—an unusual event for a competitor known for her impressive physical resilience over her 40-plus-year career. Nonetheless, she showcased her determination by coming back to run a solid time of 3:38:57 at the Tokyo Marathon in March. With a hamstring strain lingering, she managed to finish Boston in 4:27:17, again taking home the win in her age group.
Turning 77 just prior to Boston was not a setback; in fact, it marked the beginning of her return to normal training. Jeannie’s consistency is atypical for the marathon world. Her personal performance graph over the last 25 years, available on her website JeannieRiceRuns.com, presents a straight line—indicative of her remarkable stability. Unlike most runners, who see significant declines in performance with age, Jeannie has maintained her exceptional pace.
Backing up her impressive achievements, recent scientific research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology highlighted Rice’s cardiovascular data following her London world record performance. The study concluded that she possesses the highest V̇O2max ever recorded in a female over 75, categorizing her aerobic capacity in the 90th percentile for women aged 20–29. Her level of fitness approaches that of collegiate athletes rather than someone nearing 80 years old.
The media has taken a keen interest in Rice’s extraordinary longevity in the sport, with features in reputable outlets such as the Washington Post, Runner’s World, and the Times of London. They have delved into the unending question: How does she maintain such extraordinary performance levels?
Rice herself attributes her success to simplicity—she simply loves running. To date, she has completed over 120 marathons and adheres to a disciplined training regimen that underscores her passion for the sport.
For fellow runners and enthusiasts keen to compare their marathon results over the years, MarathonView.net provides a comprehensive archive of Rice’s race history. As a point of interest, it is unlikely that many will find their own marathon times to be as consistent over a span of 25 years.
As of now, there are no indications that Jeannie Rice plans to slow down. The marathon community eagerly anticipates her next steps, with fans and fellow competitors alike left to wonder—what could possibly come next for this exceptional athlete?
