Jan Morawiec is 86 years old, but his physical condition is better than most teenagers. He has run over 120 marathons in his life, and the kilometers covered would allow him to circle the globe four times. And it does not slow down for a moment. At the last World Veterans Championship in Brazil, he won a gold medal in the marathon.

The collection of beautiful prizes born in 1933Jana Morawiecis impressive: 100 cups, 200 medals, the title of the Polish champion and five times the country's runner-up. Jan Morawiec from Łódź is a legend of Polish running - he has been running for over 60 years.

The beginnings of the adventure with running

His adventure with sport began with cycling. - I was racing on a set-up with the later two-time winner of the Tour de Pologne, Jan Kudra. I was doing quite well. But one day I had a rather serious accident, tore the skin off my back. When my mother saw it, she said: it's over, you won't train cycling anymore - laughs Mr. Jan.

He was fit, so he decided to sign up for boxing. But the adventure with the ring did not last long. After three months, a treadmill appeared in his life. - I read in one of the newspapers that they are looking for young talents in running. I went to check. Without any preparation. And I won - says Mr. Jan. This is how the athlete's athletic career began.

In the times of the People's Republic of Polandmarathonswere not in fashion, shorter distances were chosen. - And I've always liked the long ones. My trainer kept telling me that 3 or 5 km runs were important and that I would run marathons when I retired. As it turns out, he was right - laughs Mr. Jan. He ran professionally for several years. He ended his career in 1968. - Now everyone is running: both young and old, but in those days people looked at these matters differently. By the time I was 35, I was too old for professional running. It was believed that my time was over, that I would not be able to do it physically - recalls Jan.

So he left the ranks of professional runners, but he did not part with running. He started competing in theVeteran Championship . He trains every other day. Each training session is 17 to 20 km long. That's over 240 km per month! - And nothing can stop my husband. I don't know how it rainedwhether it was blowing, he puts on a tracksuit and runs - adds Jadwiga.

Jan Morawiec does not use expensive gadgets. He won the title of champion by running in shoes for … PLN 59!

4 records for 80th birthday

Systematic training and willpower bring great results. Only in 2013 Jan Morawiec set four Polish records in the 80-84 years category:

  • 12. The Krakow marathon ended with a phenomenal time of 4 hours. 1 min 24 sec
  • XXII International Street Half Marathon completed in 1 hour. 52 mins 20 secs
  • In the 10k run he broke his own record by over 3 minutes!
  • He completed the 100 km run in Kalisz in 9 hours. 33 mins 11 secs

Taking part in the world championships was always a dream. - These distant dreams unexpectedly began to turn into reality last year - recalls Jan Morawiec. All thanks toRyszard Goszczyński , his trainer. One day he decided that the talent of a veteran marathon runner should be heard by the whole world. For that to happen, it is best if Jan Morawiec ran in a world-class event. The World Veterans Athletics Championships - one of their disciplines is the marathon - a chance to present themselves to the whole world.

Mr. Jan felt strong. Costs remained an issue. The trip to South America was beyond the financial reach of the retiree. - If not for Rysiek and his commitment, I would not have been able to fly to Brazil. My trainer put his whole heart into the preparation and organization. It was he who reached theProgram 60 +promoting the active lifestyle of seniors, which became my official sponsor - he says.

Sensation at the World Cup in Brazil

On October 27, 2013 Mr. Jan - as the oldest competitor - ran 42 km in Porto Alegre and won! He won thegold medal at the World Veterans Championshipin the marathon run with a time of 4 hours. 4 min 37 sec. Sensation! The best competitor from the younger category - 75 years old - ran an hour and a half behind Mr. Jan.

Run for he alth

Jan Morawiec does not struggle with any serious ailments on a daily basis. He regularly visits a doctor, checks how his body is dealing with such enormous effort. And so far it also wins. - I can't complain about my he alth. I'm in great shape for my age. The only thing I am taking is reinforcement - he says.

This is confirmed by Mr. Jan's wife. - My husband is very rarely ill. From what I can remember, he was sick once in the last ten years. He doesn't even have a cold. You can envy his he alth and condition - adds Jadwiga.

According to JohnMorawiecrunning is a miracle cure for all evil . Medics who know Mr. Jan say the same thing. - Doctors I visit support my activities. Only once did I come across one who told me: “If you want to live, give up this sport. You'd better sit on a park bench. " I smiled politely, thanked for the advice, left and didn't come back to him again - recalls Mr. Jan.

The love of long distances is stronger than anything else

The weapon of a veteran marathon runner is systematicism and fortitude. It does not use any expensive gadgets or super-equipment. He won the title of champion by running in shoes for … PLN 59!

Warning, pervert!

Running is fashionable today. An avid marathon runner is very happy about this trend. - I remember the times when sixty competitors took part in the competition, today the number is hundreds or even thousands. In the past, the training runner aroused surprise and even terror. Sometimes when I was running between the blocks, someone shouted: attention, pervert. Because many people couldn't believe that someone in their right mind could run around the estate - says Jan. Today, his presence on the favorite Retkinia-Pabianice route is no longer surprising, but a real admiration.

Running is addictive

Once upon a time, Jan Morawiec planned thatveteran world championshipswould end his career. But for the 86-year-old marathon runner, the sport is a real addiction. But running is like a drug, he admits in an interview. - That my husband will stop running sometime, I do not believe - says Jadwiga. Mr. Jan also cannot imagine his life without running. As long as his he alth allows him, he will continue his passion. The love of going long distances is stronger than anything else.

- Maybe running is even my destiny? After all, I have been living at ul. Maratońska, and life shows that I am a long-distance runner by nature … This year my wife and I will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary - she adds with a smile.

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