Jenny Hitchings isn’t just defying her age—she’s redefining what’s possible for master’s athletes worldwide.
At nearly 60, the Sacramento-based runner stunned the endurance world at the 2023 London Marathon by reclaiming her women’s 55-59 age-group world record with a blistering time of 2:45:27.
She didn’t just break the existing record—she blew past it by nearly three minutes, achieving the fastest marathon of her entire career.
What does it take to turn back the clock like this? Hitchings’ journey offers insights on longevity, training smart, and staying fast well into your 50s.
Here’s why this record is bigger than a number—and what any runner can learn from it.
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Jenny Hitchings reclaims her age-group marathon record
On April 23, 2023, two months shy of her 60th birthday, Jenny Hitchings completed the London Marathon in a jaw-dropping 2:45:27.
That performance shattered the previous women’s 55-59 world record of 2:48:06, set by Australia’s Krisha Stanton in 2022. Hitchings had held the record before Stanton, running 2:50:36 at the 2019 New York City Marathon.
Her London time not only reclaimed her record but also marked the fastest marathon of her running career—at age 59.
“This wasn’t just about competing,” Hitchings said on Instagram. “It was about pushing myself beyond what I thought was still possible.”
A second wind: How Hitchings is getting faster with age
One of the most jaw-dropping stats from her record-breaking run? She split 1:21:36 at the halfway mark, averaging 3:50 per kilometer pace throughout the race.
Age-grading calculators rate her time as equivalent to a 2:10 marathon time for an open-division runner—nearly four minutes faster than the current women’s world record held by Tigst Assefa (2:11:53).
This performance placed her 25th overall among non-elite women and second among all American women at the London Marathon, reinforcing her elite standing even outside her age group.
A legacy of record-breaking
Hitchings’ dominance in the master’s field isn’t new. Before reclaiming her 55-59 world record, she made history by breaking S. Rae Baymiller’s long-standing record from 1998 (2:52:15) in 2019.
Even after Stanton took the record in 2022, Hitchings remained undeterred. Instead of stepping back, she used it as motivation to train harder, fine-tune her pacing, and come back stronger.
In the months leading up to London, she fine-tuned her performance by competing at the USATF 10 Mile Masters Championships in Sacramento, finishing just seconds off her own American W55+ record time of 62:03.
What’s next as she enters a new age group?
On July 1, Hitchings will age into the W60 category (60-64), opening a fresh chapter in her racing career—and likely more world records ahead.
Given her current form, it’s not a stretch to imagine new age-group bests in the marathon or other distances coming soon.
“I’m not done,” she hinted on social media. “There’s more to come.”
She now serves as a coach to both adults and high school runners, sharing her expertise and passion with others looking to crush their own personal bests—no matter their age.
Lessons from a record-breaking master’s runner
Jenny Hitchings’ accomplishments are about more than fast times. They offer inspiration for any runner wondering what’s possible past 50, 55, or even 60.
Here are a few takeaways from her journey:
- Consistency beats trends: Hitchings has trained consistently over decades, avoiding burnout or overload.
- Smart intensity: She targets key races and distances rather than racing every weekend.
- Cross-training and recovery: As a seasoned athlete, recovery is paramount to staying injury-free.
- Mindset matters: Belief in her ability to improve later in life powers her performances.
An icon for the master’s running community
Jenny Hitchings is proving that age isn’t a barrier—it’s a tool.
With her London Marathon triumph, she’s become one of the most inspiring figures in master’s running today.
As she steps into a new age category, one thing’s certain: the finish line is nowhere in sight.
