Since the 1970s, the world has seen the rise of the internet, AI and the ability to book flights with a few taps on a pocket computer. But one thing that hasn’t changed is Jim Pearson of Marysville, Wash., getting up and getting out for a run.
On Wednesday night in Olympia, Pearson will officially set the world record for the longest documented run streak: 20,310 consecutive days (55 years, six months and four days). Pearson’s mark will surpass the previous record of 20,309 days, held by Jon Sutherland. The run streak began in the middle of February in 1970, and Pearson hasn’t missed a single day since then.
“This morning I tied Jon Sutherland’s longest active documented running streak in the world (20,309 straight days). Tomorrow, I hope to break it,” Pearson wrote on Sept. 23.
The 81-year-old retired cross-country coach will mark the milestone with a community run and celebration at Evergreen State College, where his son Joel now coaches. The evening will feature a short run, pizza, and of course, a speech from the new record-holder. “We will either celebrate seeing the longest run streak or ending my lengthy run streak,” Pearson jokingly wrote on Facebook.
Pearson’s running accomplishments extend far beyond his streak. In the 1970s, he trained to be one of the country’s top marathoners and ultramarathoners, winning the 1975 U.S. 50-mile championships in a then-American record of 5:12:41. He also qualified for the 1972 and 1976 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon, with a personal best of 2:22:32.
In the early years of his streak, Pearson logged five to six thousand miles annually while teaching and coaching cross country at several high schools in the Bellingham, Wash., area. To keep a streak intact (per Streak Runners International), a runner must complete at least one mile every day. Pearson has far exceeded that mark. In the 55 years, he has reportedly run more than 190,000 miles (305,000 kilometres), which is an average of 15 kilometres per day.
