rochester’s record marathon man

“You must show your body who’s boss.” That’s how octogenarian Don McNelly, Rochester’s record marathoner, describes the basis for his passion and late-life conversion to running. It’s the reason he got started at age 47, and the reason he continues today, at age 85. It’s also why he claims the #1 spot in marathoning as having completed the most marathons after age 80. He’s done 127 of them. And then there’s his official recognition as the # 3 marathoner in North America for having completed 695 races in his 35 year career. And you guessed it, his next goal is 700! In fact, as I write this he’s heading to Xenia, Ohio, (near Dayton) to run in his 696th, the Ohio River Road Runners Club Marathon. And then there’s the grand daddy of them all, the Boston Marathon. He will miss this year’s race but has completed the course 30 times over the years.

It was actually a friend’s death at age 48 that started Don thinking about a change in his lifestyle. As he points out, in the late 1960’s nobody was worrying too much about the right diet or exercise. But when a college fraternity brother died of a heart attack Don decided it was time. He consulted with his doctor, Leo Stornelli, who still practices in Irondequoit. He was also a runner and suggested Don give it a try. He started daily runs at the Irondequoit HS track. Short distances at first, then adding 100 feet further each day until he was up to a mile. He admits it was tough, but the motivation of taking control of his body was powerful. Then the miles became easier and, while visiting his son at MIT one April day in 1967, Boston Marathon runners ran by. And that was it, by the next year Don was ready to run the whole 26 miles, 385 yards. And he’s never looked back.

At 85 Don doesn’t actually run the races any more. But he walks them aggressively. His average time now is about 8:30. In his prime his best was 3:51. Some of his favorite runs are the Big Sur and Avenue of the Giants (redwoods) in California, but he also loves the beauty of East coast runs such as the tulips of Ottawa and the fall foliage of our own Wineglass Marathon from Bath to Corning. Amazingly, in over 35 years of running, Don has only had one injury, plantar fasciitis, and this heel pain went away by itself. He also successfully beat a serious illness, prostate cancer, in the late 1980’s. But he kept right on running.

After his long and illustrious career Don has only a few words of advice for others thinking about getting in shape. He thinks everybody should do something. Regardless of age, gender, or physical condition, everybody should get up and start moving. He should know, he’s never stopped!

As if all this was not enough, Don can add several more accomplishments to his notable list. He’s:

• Competed in races all 50 states and Washington, DC.

• Completed races in all Provinces and Territories in Canada.

• Run races on 5 continents and near both poles

• Claims the world’s records for most marathons completed past age 70 and 80.

• Is also a veteran of 101 Ultra marathons. These are races of 50K or longer, sometimes much longer!

• Completed the 86 floor Empire State Building “Run Up“ three times.