Running News Daily

Tommy Hughes is not just running into his golden years—he’s racing through them at world-record pace. Now 65 years old, the legendary Irish marathoner continues to show that age is just a number when matched with grit, discipline, and passion.

Born on January 8, 1960, Hughes has been rewriting the masters record books for the past several years. At age 60, he stunned the running world by clocking a 2:30:02 marathon, setting a new M60 world record—a blistering pace of 3:33 per kilometer. But he hasn’t stopped there.

In May 2024, at 64 years old, Hughes ran the Belfast Marathon in 2:36:37, setting a new single-age world record for age 64. Despite battling a severe cold, he executed a well-paced race with a negative split, proving once again that his training and racing instincts are second to none.

Just two months later, in July 2024, Hughes added another major accomplishment to his resume by breaking the M60 10-mile world record, clocking 58:13 at the Portaferry 10-mile race—surpassing the legendary Ed Whitlock’s previous mark.

Now in the M65 age group, Hughes has his sights set on the marathon world record for this category: 2:41:57. Given his consistency and recent form, the running community is watching closely—few would be surprised if he takes that record down too.

Hughes’ achievements are all the more remarkable considering his personal journey. He began running at age 23, worked for decades as an electrician, and overcame serious challenges, including a battle with alcoholism. In 2018, he had surgery for a parathyroid tumor—a turning point that led him to embrace sobriety and double down on his running.

In addition to his individual accolades, Hughes shares a unique father-son accomplishment: in 2019, he and his son Eoin set the Guinness World Record for fastest combined father-son marathon time(Tommy in 2:27:52 and Eoin in 2:31:30 at the Frankfurt Marathon).

Today, Hughes helps with his daughter’s business and continues to train with the same determination he had decades ago. His story is one of persistence, reinvention, and inspiration—not just for master runners, but for athletes of all ages.

Tommy Hughes proves that you don’t age out of greatness—you just run into it.