When asked to describe the effort needed to run fast for 26.2 miles at an older age, he quipped to the News Tribune in 2008: "During the first half of the marathon you're afraid you're going to die, and during the second half you're afraid you're going to live." He once held eight world age-group records and 32 American age-group bests. He also holds the Grandma's Marathon mark for those 60-64 at 2:48:20, set in 1985 at age 60.
That stood as an American record for those ages 55-59 for six years and remains a course record for that age group.
He completed 161 marathons, none more amazing than the 1981 Grandma's Marathon, finishing in 2:30:40 at age 56. He spent 40 years in the medical profession as an anesthesiologist, living in Edina.īut those who follow running, especially road racing in the 1970s and '80s, know and revere Ratelle as an age-class superstar. He was shot down twice, but sustained only minor injuries when the plane crash-landed.
His career included 60 missions as a navigator in a B-17 bomber with the Army Air Corps during World War II.
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