Oz Curtis
Andrea Simmons won the marathon’s 70+ category
A woman who clocked a personal best at the New York Marathon and scooped a world championship title has said running is possible at any age.
Andrea Simmons, 71, from Newlyn in Cornwall, won the marathon’s 70+ category and finished the race in a time of 3:37:48.
The race doubled up as Age Group World Championship and made the Hayle Runners member the Marathon Majors Worldwide Champion.
Simmons, who also claimed the 70-74 age group crown at the Boston Marathon in April, said she got a “huge sense of achievement” with the win but added running was more than bringing home titles.
Andrea Simmons, 71, won the Marathon Majors Worldwide Champion title for her age group
“The social aspect of it is really important to me as well,” said Simmons, who has gone through 2025 undefeated.
“I love going to the club, I love the community; I think it shows people that it is possible at any age.”
Simmons managed to shave eight minutes off her time to win in New York.
After running for a few years in her 30s, Simmons got the “running bug” again at the age of 58 when she decided to take part in the London Marathon for charity.
Despite having “always been sporty”, it was only after she joined the Hayle Runners club and started winning age group races when she became aware of her ability.
“My ambition was to go to New York to win,” she said.
“I think it’s just born in you, I’ve always been competitive in everything I’ve done.”
Boston Athletic Association
Andrea Simmons also won her age category race at the Boston Marathon
Simmons already has other races on her schedule including next year’s Tokyo and Chicago marathons.
She is also set to defend her world title during a marathon in Cape Town in May 2026.
Hayle Runners chairman Richard Collett said the club was “enormously proud” of Simmons.
“Her New York result not only demonstrates exceptional athletic endurance but also underscores her status as a global inspiration to masters athletes and older runners everywhere,” he said.