Marty Granoff, a 90-year-old marathoner, was cheered on through all five boroughs as he completed his sixth marathon alongside his son and grandson. His last marathon was 43 years ago.
Granoff finished the marathon in 8 hours and 26 minutes, wearing a shirt that read, “If you can read this, you are losing to a 90-year-old man.”
Granoff received his medal at the finish line from the CEO of New York Road Runners Rob Simmelkjaer.
“I would have liked it to be a lot prettier,” Granoff told NY1 after finishing. “I had back spasms in the 18th mile. I never had back spasms before.”
When asked what it felt like to make it to the finish line, Granoff said, “It feels wonderful. Just amazing.” It was Granoff’s first marathon in 43 years.
He finished with his son, Michael Granoff, and grandson, Avi Granoff.
“It was incredible,” Avi Granoff said. “He’s amazing, truly an inspiration.”
His son Michael got emotional at the finish line, telling NY1, “30 years ago, i gave up on the idea that we would ever do a marathon together. And it’s just unbelievable that he was able to do this and that we were able to do it as 3 generations. And his strength through problems with his back after the 15th mile, when everybody though we were done, he is just an inspiration to everyone.”
Granoff’s running coach, Sean Fortune, met him at 110th street and 5th Avenue and finished the marathon with him.
“We didn’t stop once from 110 all the way to the finish,” Fortune said. “The crowd support was amazing, unbelievable, and from what I understand Brooklyn was just a nonstop party. Marty was just flying.”
While Granoff chuckled when asked if he was going to do it again next year, he does have a wish for his fellow nonagenarians.
“I wish this upon any 90-year-old, every 90-year-old,” Granoff said. “It’s amazingly special.”