A 74-year-old Korean-American marathon runner has achieved one of the sport’s most coveted milestones—completing all six World Marathon Majors.
Howard Lee, a resident of Buena Park and longtime member of the Happy Runners club, crossed the finish line at the Tokyo Marathon on March 2, becoming a finisher of all six major races: Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, and Tokyo.
A Journey Marked by Recovery and Resilience
Lee began running 16 years ago for health reasons. After completing the Boston Marathon in 2016, he committed to the long-term goal of finishing all six majors—a journey that took nearly a decade.
His path, however, was not without hardship. In 2019, Lee was struck by a car during an early morning run, leaving him with 11 broken ribs. More recently, he underwent cancer surgery and endured a difficult recovery.
“I was able to run again thanks to the support and encouragement of my fellow Happy Runners members,” Lee said. “I’m fully recovered now and healthy.”
Running as a Lifestyle
A tax professional at Hanmi Tax Accounting Service in Los Angeles for 40 years, Lee maintains a consistent training routine—running four miles on weekdays and eight miles on weekends. He credits running as key to his physical and mental well-being.
“Running isn’t just about health,” Lee said. “It’s a miracle that gives me life’s energy. And what I’ve learned is that when we run together, we can go farther—and be happier.”
He also praised Happy Runners for providing experienced coaches and leadership that supports runners of all levels.
Looking Ahead to the Seventh Major
With all six World Marathon Majors completed, Lee is now aiming for a new goal: the Sydney Marathon in September 2025. Sydney was officially added as the seventh major in late 2023 after a competitive evaluation process.
Lee has already begun training, determined to complete the newly expanded set of global marathons. For him, the sport remains a powerful source of inspiration and community.
BY SANGHWAN LIM [lim.sanghwan@koreadaily.com]
