Meet the world’s best marathon runner in 55+ age group

As a passionate runner, I’ve been following Yuri Strofilov on social media for a while; we have one common friend. We’re both Russian, though Yuri is in Russia and I’m in the US. He thinks in minutes per kilometer and I — per mile!

When I asked Yuri for advice on a couple of topics he kindly responded. We are now planning to collaborate on a running publication (see at the end of this story)! When we reach success, I promise to shave my hair and look more like Yuri! I don’t promise to run like him until I reach his age.

One of my questions to Yuri was whether he allows himself to drink alcohol. I love beer too much, I explained to him, but am worried that serious athletes never drink. Not that I’m a serious athlete but I’m a perfectionist when it comes to running. One day I want to be like Yuri — one of the best marathon runners in the world in my age group. At 56 years of age in October 2021, Yuri won the London marathon in his age group, clocking 2.38. I recently ran my first sub-three-hour marathon (2.57) in California; I’m approaching 42. I have another 15 years to get to Yuri’s level!