At 61 Years Old, He Ran an Incredible 2:28 Marathon—and Shattered the Age Group World Record
Runner's World
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
At 61 years old, Mohammed El Yamani of France achieved an extraordinary feat by breaking the world record for the men’s 60-64 age group category at the Seville Marathon. Running a stunning 2:28:28, he shaved one minute and 34 seconds off the previous record of 2:30:02, which had stood since 2020. This remarkable performance came after two years of injuries that forced him to stop running entirely and took nearly three years away from his marathon racing.
El Yamani’s journey back to the top was not easy. After suffering from gluteal tendonitis, vertebral fractures, and a problematic back, he returned with determination. His Instagram post reflected the emotional toll of his hiatus, revealing moments of doubt and depression but also an unyielding belief in his ability to achieve greatness. His return to racing culminated in this record-breaking performance, proving that age is no barrier to excellence.
Over the years, El Yamani has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible for his age group. At the 2021 Valencia Marathon, he ran a then-world record time of 2:26:56, though it fell just short of the global standard. Known for his exceptional performances across various distances, including half-marathons and road races, El Yamani has balanced a grueling training schedule (averaging 180 kilometers per week) with his career as a production manager in the classical music industry.
Inspired by a local runner at age 31, El Yamani embarked on his running journey in 1995. His progress was
Verticals
fitnessrunning
Originally published on Runner's World on 2/25/2026