Gloria Vasquez, a 74-year-old grandmother from Kissimmee, Florida, is preparing to run her 97th marathon this coming Sunday at the DONNA Marathon in Jacksonville Beach. Taking on the chilly weather, Vasquez’s participation in the marathon is more than a personal endeavor—it’s a tribute to her late sister Isabel, who succumbed to breast cancer a decade ago. The DONNA Marathon is known for fundraising for the Donna Foundation, an organization dedicated to aiding breast cancer patients with unforeseen expenses.
Though she now finds solace in the sunny realms of Florida, Vasquez’s roots trace back to Colombia, where she secured her first victory in racing at the tender age of eight, her prize being a simple Coca-Cola, as First Coast News reported. This joy sparked a lasting passion for running. Before hitting 60, she had already run marathons in all 50 states, now she’s set to slowly chase down her goal of running 100 marathons before her 100th year.
Her drive is not solely fueled by personal records. Vasquez’s journey to America was one of survival and reinvention; as a single mother, she fled domestic violence and thanks to her sister Isabel’s unwavering support, she was able to establish a new life for her family, according to an interview with Action News Jax. Isabel’s memory remains a beacon guiding her marathon pursuits…