303 miles at age 82
Improved his six-day best by 63 miles and set an M80–84 benchmark at the time.
Source-checked athlete record · Updated Aug 18, 2026
Ted Corbitt
Olympian, ultrarunning pioneer, and founder of U.S. road-course certification
Ted Corbitt was a 1952 Olympic marathoner, former U.S. 100-mile record holder, NYRR founding president, and road-measurement pioneer.
United StatesNew York City
The record so far
Ted Corbitt was an American distance-running pioneer whose influence extended well beyond his own results. He represented the United States in the 1952 Olympic marathon, later became a leading ultrarunner, and served as the founding president of New York Road Runners from 1958 to 1960.
At age 50, Corbitt set an American 100-mile track record of 13:33:06. His racing record also included a 2:26:44 marathon best, fourth place at London-to-Brighton, and fifth place in the inaugural New York City Marathon.
Corbitt helped establish accurate road-course measurement in the United States and started the national certification program in 1964. His endurance career continued into his eighties: in 2001, at age 82, he completed 303 miles at the Sri Chinmoy Six Day Race.
Defining performances
↗
American 100-mile track record
Ran 13:33:06 at age 50, setting the national record of the period.
U.S. road-course certification pioneer
Started the national certification program after researching accurate measurement methods.
Founding president of New York Road Runners
Led the organization during its first years and helped shape organized road running in New York.
Olympic marathon representative
Became the first African American to represent the United States in the Olympic marathon.
Performance history
| Date | Event | Performance | Result | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Chinmoy Six Day RaceSix-day road | 303 miles · 487.632 km | M80–84 record at the time | View ↗ | |
| Sri Chinmoy Six Day RaceSix-day road | 240 miles · 386.243 km | Age-group benchmark at the time | View ↗ | |
| Boston MarathonMarathon road | 2:49:16 | 22nd Boston finish · Age 55 | View ↗ | |
| New York City MarathonMarathon road | 2:44:15 | 5th overall · Inaugural edition | View ↗ | |
| 100 Miles Track Race100-mile track | 13:33:06 | American record at the time | View ↗ | |
| London to Brighton52.5-mile road | 5:53:37 | 4th overall | View ↗ | |
| Shanahan MarathonMarathon road | 2:26:44 | Career best | View ↗ | |
| Yonkers MarathonMarathon road | 2:46:13 | 1st overall · U.S. national champion | View ↗ | |
| Olympic Games MarathonMarathon road | 2:51:09 | 44th overall | View ↗ | |
| Boston MarathonMarathon road | 2:48:58 | 15th overall · First Boston finish | View ↗ |
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