Sylvia Weiner is a prolific runner. She’s 85 years old, and she estimates that, during the course of her running career, she’s completed nearly 2,000 races—and she’s got an extensive collection of race medals and trophies to prove it. In 1975, Sylvia even claimed a very special spot in Boston Marathon history.

But her most significant legacy has nothing to do with race accolades. When Sylvia runs, she shows others what’s possible. Her long-term dedication to the sport is impressive. “I have to stick to [running] for dear life,” she says. That’s because running is more than a passion; it’s a way of dealing with her traumatic past.

In this week’s episode, Sylvia shares her incredible story. Let’s just say, there’s a reason Sylvia’s longtime running buddy greets her with an enthusiastic, “Sylvia! She’s our hero!”

Episode Credits:

Host: Rachel Swaby

Producers: Rachel Swaby, Audrey Quinn, Christine Fennessy

Editing help: Brian Dalek

Special thanks: Gordon Asmundson from the University of Regina for sharing his research.

Debbie Weiner for her help with this story.

Theme music: Danny Cocke

Human Race editor-in-chief: David Willey

Human Race is a member of Panoply.

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