Most seniors in their mid-80s get their exercise in a rocking chair. But not Carson City’s Terry Hogan. He runs marathons.
The octogenarian, who is 85, won his division in the San Francisco Marathon in 2021 and just missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon, turning in a 5:07 time for the 26.2-mile run. He needed under 5 hours to qualify.
Most recently, Hogan won his age division in the Tahoe 5K on July 4.
Hogan will run another marathon Oct. 15 when he competes in the Lake Tahoe Marathon.
To prepare, he runs three to five miles a day, usually starting at 5 a.m. He also does interval training.
“I’ve always been a runner,’’ said Hogan, “but I started competing in distance races in 2018 when I entered a half marathon in Reno.’’
He was 80 then and ran a 2:43 – one of the fastest in his age group.
Hogan was a track competitor while growing up in California. He ran sprints for his high school in Santa Cruz, competing in the 100 and 200 dashes. He also posted an outstanding time of 1:49.5 in the 880.
Hogan also played defensive back in football, but switched to nose guard after tearing a ligament in his right leg.
Hogan went on to college at St. Mary’s College, where he competed in the 880. He also played as a reserve guard on the basketball team.
Hogan graduated in 1961 in history and political science. He went on to teach fifth graders in science and physical education in Greenfield, Calif.
Hogan kept running while also serving as a volunteer firefighter, also serving as a park ranger and in the California Division of Fire where he fought wildfires.
Hogan also served as cross country and track coach at Livermore High School in Northern California.
Hogan moved to Carson City in 2005.
The Lake Tahoe Marathon will begin at 8 a.m. at Homewood and finish at the Hard Rock Casino-Hotel in Stateline. It’s too late to qualify for the Boston Marathon this year, but he hopes to keep trying in his future.