90-Year-Old Marty Granoff to Run NYC Marathon
The Saddle River resident aims to become the oldest American to finish the race in regulation time on November 1, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Running
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Marty Granoff, a 90-year-old resident of Saddle River, is set to compete in the New York City Marathon on November 1, 2026. He expects to finish the course in 7 hours and 40 minutes, which would make him the oldest American to complete the race in regulation time this century.
Why it matters
Granoff is returning to the event after 43 years, having last competed in the 1983 NYC Marathon. His goal highlights the endurance potential of aging athletes as he attempts to surpass the longevity benchmark set by Sam Gadless in 1999.
Granoff maintains a rigorous training schedule that includes 7 to 12 miles on weekdays and 18 to 23 miles on weekends. His lifetime personal record for a marathon remains 3 hours and 36 minutes, which he set in 1982.
The players
Marty Granoff
A 90-year-old Saddle River resident training to run the NYC Marathon.
Michael Granoff
The 58-year-old son of Marty Granoff who is assisting with his training.
Avi Granoff
The 21-year-old grandson of Marty Granoff who is assisting with his training.
Sam Gadless
A runner who finished the NYC Marathon in 1999 at the age of 92.
The details
Granoff has been preparing for the race through weekly recovery loops and hill training in Central Park. He began this training quest in November 2025 after reflecting on his previous marathon experiences while walking in Miami.
Timeline
1982: Marty Granoff set his personal marathon record.
1983: Granoff ran his last NYC Marathon.
1999: Sam Gadless finished the NYC Marathon at age 92.
November 2025: Granoff began his marathon training quest.
November 1, 2026: The New York City Marathon takes place.
Season Trajectory
Granoff's performance will be measured against the historical precedent of Sam Gadless's 1999 NYC Marathon finish. This attempt positions Granoff as a central figure in the narrative of age-defying athletic endurance for the 2026 season.
Granoff expects to clock a finish time of 7 hours and 40 minutes during the event. His participation sets a target for age-based performance metrics within the field of participants for the 2026 New York City Marathon.
The takeaway
Granoff demonstrates that consistent training, including specific hill and distance work, can remain effective at age 90. His journey highlights the value of setting clear personal goals when returning to high-intensity athletic pursuits later in life.
Further reading
For more on endurance events in the region, check out our Running coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by North Jersey.
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