More Than Fifty Years Since He Started Running, Bala Cynwyd Man Continues Racking Up Awards

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Gene Dykes of Bala Cynwyd, who has been running for more than fifty years, is looking forward to this year’s Philadelphia Marathon that benefits cancer research. Image via 6abc.

Gene Dykes of Bala Cynwyd, who has been running for more than fifty years, is looking forward to participating in this year’s Philadelphia Marathon, which benefits the American Association for Cancer Research, according to a staff report from the 6ABC.

Dykes started running in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 1997 that he first entered a race.

“My first marathon was actually the Philadelphia Marathon, but I wasn’t a runner then,“ he said. “I barely survived it.”

An injury sidelined him for six years, but his inner competitiveness drew him back. Thirteen years ago he completed the New York City Marathon and has been racking up the awards ever since.

“I finished third in my age group, it was at the Boston Marathon,“ he said. “That really got me excited.”

He also beat the record for a 70-year-old runner last year.

This year’s Philadelphia Marathon is especially important to him because of the cause it supports.

“Of the six in my immediate family, I’m the only one who hasn’t had cancer,” he said. “That’s the most motivation I have for wanting to support cancer research.”

Read more about Gene Dykes at the 6ABC by clicking here.

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