80-Year-Old Runner Completes 19th NYC Marathon After Heart Issues

Laverne Johnson, 80, was rushed to the hospital after experiencing severe shortness of breath and fatigue just blocks from her home. Doctors diagnosed her with severe heart failure and an arrhythmia, which worsened with her intense training.

Following an emergency procedure at Mount Sinai West Medical Center, Johnson was prescribed medication and advised to rest. Her doctor emphasized she should only do what she felt capable of doing, though she was not explicitly told to skip the marathon.

Johnson completed her 19th New York City Marathon last year after recovering from a medical setback. Doctors detected another arrhythmia earlier this year and performed a cardioversion procedure to restore her heart rhythm.

Johnson, who started running in the 1990s, initially aimed to finish 20 marathons by age 80. She ran her first marathon in New York City in 1990 and has since completed 19. This year, she plans to run the entire marathon without walk breaks, as her doctors no longer require restrictions.

Johnson, an entrepreneur and corporate trainer, has always prioritized fitness. She started running as a way to stay healthy while raising her children and later became a competitive marathoner. Her determination to complete 20 marathons by 80 remains a personal milestone.