Forrest Gump doesn’t have anything on retired Marine Col. Jonathan Mendes.

The 96-year-old Devil Dog recently became the oldest person to complete the New York City Marathon, completing the 26.2 mile race through the city’s five boroughs in 11 hours and 23 minutes and chasing it with a shot of scotch to boot.

"You have to have goals in life," Mendes told Runner’s World. "They don’t have to be important. But at this stage, I’ve done it all. I’ve skied all over the world. I’ve canoed the great rivers of the world. I flew dive-bombers for the Marine Corps in World War II, and jet fighter attack planes in Korea."

This isn't the first time Mendes has completed the prestigious New York City Marathon, however. In 2010, the then-90-year-old was the oldest entrant in the race, crossing the finish line in nine hours and 55 minutes. He had also participated in the marathon five years before that.

Mendes received his commission in 1942 after graduating from Dartmouth College. He flew more than 100 missions in World War II and over 70 during the Korean War.

He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for "heroism and extraordinary achievement" when on June 15th, 1953, he led a group of jet fighter-bombers from Marine Fighter Squadron 311 on an airstrike against a heavily defended enemy airfield deep in hostile territory.

"[Mendes] skillfully navigated the flight directly to the target area, despite extremely adverse weather, and initiated a dive-bombing and strafing attack through intense and accurate enemy anti-aircraft fire," according to his citation.

Retired Marine Col. Jonathan Mendes this month became the oldest runner to finish the New York City Marathon. The highly decorated World War II and Korean War veteran, who celebrated finishing the race with a shot of scotch, is no stranger to the marathon. Here, he crosses the finish line at the end of the 2010 New York City Marathon. Then 90, he was the oldest entrant in the race and crossed the finish after 9 hours and 55 minutes.
Photo Credit: Sgt. Randall Clinton/Marine Corps


Mendes retired from the Marine Corps after a 32-year career, but didn't let up.


The marathon -- undertaken at a disciplined speed of 25 minutes per mile -- is his 16th.

He's been running for over 50 years, since a doctor told him he needed to quit smoking at the age of 44. Mendes has been plying the same two-mile PT route around Central Park at 7:30 a.m. every day since, barring inclement weather.


He also takes a shot of scotch every day at 4 p.m.


"I’ve been saying for years that the key to living this long is a shot of whisky a day and a good woman, in that order," Mendes said.

The annual  New York City Marathon is the largest in the world. Over 50,000 runners took part this year, with 20-year-old Eritrean Ghirmay Ghebreslassie taking the win with a 2:07:51 time.

Nine hours after Ghebreslassie sprinted across the finish line and 45 minutes after the official timer ran out, Mendes pulled through the line accompanied by personal trainer Tom Mangan and Art Berman, who volunteered to escort Mendes through the non-profit  Achilles International.
They were greeted by Peter Ciaccia, the marathon's race director, who embraced Mendes and put a medal around his neck.

"Semper Fi," Ciaccia told him.

"Do or die!" Mendes responded.

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