#73 Unstoppable: The 80-Year-Old Who Runs 100+ Mile Ultramarathons—and Reminds Us Why Showing Up Still Matters

Bob Becker didn’t grow up an athlete. He ran his first marathon in his 50s. Now, at 80, he’s outlasting runners half his age—competing in 100+ mile ultramarathons across deserts, through mountain passes, and deep into the unknown. But this isn’t just a story about extreme endurance. It’s a meditation on purpose, perseverance, and the ripple effects we create when we keep showing up. In one unforgettable story, Bob recalls finishing a brutal desert race just past the official cutoff—only t...
Bob Becker didn’t grow up an athlete. He ran his first marathon in his 50s.
Now, at 80, he’s outlasting runners half his age—competing in 100+ mile ultramarathons across deserts, through mountain passes, and deep into the unknown.
But this isn’t just a story about extreme endurance. It’s a meditation on purpose, perseverance, and the ripple effects we create when we keep showing up.
In one unforgettable story, Bob recalls finishing a brutal desert race just past the official cutoff—only to be handed a note from a stranger who had been watching. It read: “I’ve been looking for a reason to stay alive. If you made it to the finish line, I promised God I’d live 100 more days.”
Moments like that don’t happen by accident. They happen when people live with grit, intention, and heart.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Bob believes the second half of life can be the most powerful
- How he started running at 57—and why starting late might be an advantage
- The mindset that gets him through the most painful, isolating miles
- How to find meaning in the journey, even when you don’t “win”
- Why your effort matters, even when no one seems to notice
- How to balance drive with community, service, and family
- What aging athletes can do to keep moving forward with strength and joy
This is one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had on Ageless Athlete—a reminder that what looks like the end might just be the beginning.
🎧 Listen in. Share with someone who needs it. And remember: it’s never too late to do something extraordinary.
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