While most people think of living their life sedentarily at 88, Paul Youd is breaking the norm by gearing up for 100 ultramarathons, and his story is turning lots of heads on the web.

The 88-year-old endurance athlete from the UK is currently training to complete 100 ultramarathons before his 100th birthday. For context, an ultramarathon is longer than the standard marathon (42.2 km), which extends to 50 kms or sometimes even more.

An Instagram reel from GetSetUp displayed clips from Youd's preparation sessions. He said, "I'm 88 shortly, I'm on no meds, I'm living my best life, and I'm as happy as I've ever been. I'm up to 27 [ultramarathons] so far, I'm on target, and I'm enjoying myself."

Youd's motivation behind running the ultramarathons is to raise money for an animal rights charity organisation, Viva. Before becoming an endurance athlete, Youd experienced mobility issues because of arthritis, which he developed in his 40s. But after switching to a plant-based diet, the effects started to wither away.

But it wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic that his endurance journey began. He began training by running laps around the 20-yard track in his garden. And as time went by, his distance and frequency increased to the point that he started running ultramarathons.

"By June [2020], I felt strong enough that I decided to do a 10K every day for 10 days to fundraise for an animal sanctuary. I thought over the 10 days I would get more tired, but as the week went on, I got stronger."

With full determination to keep his fitness levels going, he was looking for physical activities, and it was then that someone suggested ultramarathons to him on Facebook. His first ultramarathon was a 100k across England's South West Peninsula, and an experience he remembers as 'adventure.'

Youd admitted that he found ultramarathons to be better than regular marathons because, unlike the regular ones, where participants run without stopping, ultramarathons allow runners to run, walk, and take short breaks at aid stations along the way.

Internet reacts to Paul Youd's athleticism

The internet blew up with admiration for the 88-year-old as soon as his video hit social media. Comments like 'Legend' and 'Inspirational' were seen throughout the comments section.

An Instagram user appreciated his determination, writing, "Amazing focus and fun." One more positive comment read, "Well@done that man."

Another wrote, "Brilliant, Paul, congratulations! And thank you for thinking of the animals," lauding him for his activism for animal rights.

Even other senior citizens couldn't stop themselves from praising him with comments like, "As a sixty-five-year-old vegan who tries to fit in a 5k run most days, I find Paul an inspiration."

So, did you also feel inspired after watching and learning about Youd? Thinking of starting to run?

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Written by

Ruwa Javed

Edited by

Souvik Roy