How a 72-year-old marathoner and corporate president trains for 4 races a year despite a busy schedule

72-year-old marathoner who began running in his 50s, has completed 43 marathons and has no plans of slowing down

Greg Ho, a 72-year-old marathon runner and president of a New York venture capital firm, discussed how he manages to fit running into his busy life.

In his 50s, he found it challenging to make time for exercise. With 43 marathons completed, Greg aims to run 100 before he turns 100.

A journey from struggle to success: milestones of a 72-year-old marathon runner

His fitness journey has not been easy. After suffering from ankle and leg issues due to judo and skiing in his youth, Greg found it hard to stay active by age 54.

He noted that the demands of his “high-stress job” at Spring Mountain Capital made finding time to work out difficult, a challenge he shared in a recent interview with Business Insider.

In 2008, Greg’s wife encouraged him to take his health seriously and signed him up for a cross-training program that resembled a boot camp.

Around the same time, the Robin Hood Foundation, a New York charity focused on fighting poverty, invited him to run a marathon to help raise money.

By that point, Greg felt fit enough to take on the challenge, comfortably running four to five miles at a pace of 10 minutes per mile.

Despite being advised by his orthopedist to stop running due to a torn meniscus and other knee and ankle issues, Greg decided to run a marathon.

His doctors believed he could handle the challenge, and he viewed it as an opportunity to raise funds for the Robin Hood Foundation, using his professional connections.

Remarkably, he raised over $20,000 for the charity, achieving this “without trying too hard.”

Although he found the training program difficult and painful, he remained motivated by the growing support from others.

He felt a strong responsibility to participate in the race. Ultimately, at 56 years old, Greg completed his first marathon.

“I literally cried with relief when I crossed the finish line because of the pain,” he said.

However, a minute later, he reflected on the experience, realized he could do better, and wanted to take on the challenge again.

True to his word, he decided to run another marathon.

The following year, Greg ran two more marathons, continuing to raise money with support from friends and colleagues.

Although his doctors warned of possible injuries, he was motivated to see how far he could push himself.

The benefits soon showed—his cholesterol and blood pressure improved, and his joints remained strong.

Greg attributed his good health to an anti-inflammatory diet and his body’s adjustment to rigorous training.

“I found the difference between my perceived health and what I could accomplish with some effort was astounding,” he said.

Fifteen years after starting his marathon journey, Greg, the 72-year-old marathon runner, has completed 43 marathons and aims to run 66 more before his 100th birthday.

His best time so far is five hours and 15 minutes. To reach his goal, he plans to run three marathons each year until he’s 80, gradually reduce to two per year in his 80s, and finally one marathon from 91 to 100.

Balancing act: fitting fitness into a busy life

Greg runs two marathons each spring and fall, preparing with an 18-week training plan that includes about eight hours of running weekly.

His regimen combines interval training, long-distance runs, and fartlek workouts, where he switches between fast and slow speeds.

Despite his hectic schedule, he makes time for exercise, waking up at 4:30 a.m. and ending his day around 11 p.m.

He reserves about four hours each evening for downtime with family and friends. At the same time, the rest of his time is dedicated to work.

Greg frequently finds time for a gym or morning run before starting work at 6:30 a.m. If his morning is busy, he may also exercise after finishing a project due before lunch.

He opts for high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on particularly hectic days because it allows him to work out in less time.

Promoting healthy aging: Greg’s commitment to community and personal wellness

“Physically and mentally, running enables me to perform while I get little sleep,” Greg said, adding that it increases his energy, helping him engage in his interests and stay active throughout his day.

Greg, the 72-year-old marathon runner, listens to audiobooks during his runs to combine his love for reading with exercise. This hobby has also allowed him to connect with others who value health and purpose.

Moreover, running has deepened his understanding of healthy aging in communities of color.

Through his firm, Spring Mountain Capital, he supports the West Harlem Innovation Network, which focuses on creating new businesses and fostering entrepreneurial talent in underserved areas of New York City.

Greg averages just 4.5 hours of sleep each night, which research indicates may harm his health.

A 2022 study published in PLoS Medicine found that adults over 50 who sleep less than five hours are at a 20% higher risk of chronic diseases.

He tries to increase his sleep to five hours a night to address this. In the meantime, he is focusing on other healthy habits to promote longevity, such as maintaining a balanced diet and managing stress.

He follows basic nutritional guidelines by avoiding junk food and processed items while keeping track of his calorie intake.

However, despite his efforts to reduce stress, he struggles in his demanding finance job, which he describes as a high-pressure environment filled with “high-performing teams and high goals.”

Here’s Greg Ho, the 72-year-old marathon runner, discussing how he achieves his personal and professional goals: