Germán Silva after his win at the 1994 New York City Marathon.
This blog post was written by Emily Warner, a freelance health and science journalist based in London. She is also a keen traveler, a running guide with Achilles International, and a 2025 TCS New York City Marathon finisher.
It’s been over three decades since Germán Silva represented Mexico in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and won consecutive victories in the 1994 and 1995 New York City Marathons. And although he retired from professional running in 2005, he is still chasing down new goals.
In February 2022, Silva ran from the north to the south of Mexico, traveling over 5,000 kilometers and destroying 18 pairs of running shoes in the process. His International Tour Operator (ITO) company, German Silva Tours, takes groups of Mexican runners to compete in marathons across the world. In 2025, he completed seven Abbott World Marathon Majors races himself in Tokyo, Boston, London, Sydney, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. He’s hoping to do it again this year.
A Life Steeped in Running
Silva grew up in the rural village of Tecomate, Mexico, surrounded by jungle and the orange plantations where his father worked. He recalls hearing coyotes at night, frequent monsoons, and a star-filled sky. Most days, he would run the seven kilometers to school. “I used to give my books to one of my friends and he would ride the bus while I ran next to the bus. I remember all the school cheering for me,” he says.
He gets his entrepreneurial spirit from his father who was a businessman, transporting oranges from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific coast for sale. “My father taught me how to run a fair business, and my ITO company gave me an opportunity to stay in the world of marathon running after I had retired,” he says.
Every year, Silva returns to New York—the site of his historic victories—with a group of runners, so they can experience some of New York Road Runners most iconic races. He says, “I would say that NYRR’s ITO program is an example to the other majors. It is very fair, the team are very respectful, and when you are recognized as an ITO in New York, doors open for you into the other majors.”
He describes the United Airlines NYC Half as “the best half marathon you can do anywhere in the world,” with a course that crosses the Brooklyn Bridge, weaves its way through Times Square, and finishes amid the undulating hills of Central Park. His only advice for runners is to “keep [their] eyes up” so as not to miss it.
Nothing compares to the TCS New York City Marathon though, he admits. It’s a race he returns to year after year—as a champion, a father, a coach, a friend, and an ITO leader. Silva is as much a part of the marathon’s history as it is part of his.
Germán Silva (pictured in the middle) in Central Park with runners from his ITO company.
A Wrong Turn Into History
In 1994, he famously took a wrong turn half a mile from the finish line, allowing his training partner, Benjamin Paredes, to overtake him. “At first, I thought ’How can I be so stupid?’ I could see my training partner Benjamin very far away in the distance. Then I decided to try and close the gap between him and myself. It didn’t matter if I fell at the finish line, as long as I kept pushing,” he recounts.
The distance between the two runners began to close as Silva called upon every shred of energy and motivation he still possessed after running 25.5 miles. Spectators held their breath as he gained on Paredes and made up the 12 or 13 seconds he’d lost, winning by just two seconds in the final stretch. “[That wrong turn] was the best mistake I ever made,” he says.
Afterward, the governor of Veracruz phoned Silva to ask what he wanted as a prize. “I would like to bring electricity to my village,” he replied. Electric lights, irons, and refrigerators arrived in Tecomate. Air conditioning was installed to battle the sweltering heat, and evenings were prolonged with television and video games. “My father was very proud of that. I [gave] him the best present of his life.”
Germán Silva breaking the tape at the 1994 New York City Marathon.
Silva’s victory in 1994 was just the first of many New York finish lines. When he turned 50, he ran the marathon with his son Riwan. It was a beautiful, sunny day and when they were 800 meters from the end—the point where Silva took his notorious wrong turn—Riwan began to speed up. “I had to shout and ask him to wait for me, so he waited and we finished together. That was a really good experience. The only bad news is that he doesn’t run much now—too much time spent with his girlfriend,” Silva laughs.
Still Chasing Big Goals
Silva’s favorite part of the marathon is taking the ITO ferry over to Staten Island hours before reaching the start line. On a clear day, runners can watch the sun rise over New York City from the prow of the boat. “It’s beautiful,” he says.
Silva’s goal last year was to run each of the seven Abbott World Marathon Majors in under three hours. He was on track to achieve it before injury and exhaustion slowed him down. “Still, not bad for an old man,” he laughs.
But “not bad” is not good enough for the former Olympian. This year, he plans to tackle the seven majors again, with the Cape Town Marathon—currently in candidacy to become the eighth Abbott World Marathon Majors race—added to the list.
Silva is undaunted by the mammoth task ahead of him. “I am very healthy right now. I am in love with my wife Sandra. I have a great team. My company is doing well, and that gives me the opportunity to train.”
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Author: Emily Warner