Today we meet a woman who completely rewrote the script on ageing.
After retiring from her career as a school headteacher at age 60, Chris Hobson didn’t slow down — she sped up. What began as a commitment to get healthier in retirement turned into a decade-long adventure that saw her complete more than 100 marathons across all seven continents.
And at 69 years old, Chris achieved something extraordinary: completing the Antarctic Ice Marathon in temperatures colder than most freezers, becoming the oldest woman to finish the event.
But this conversation isn’t just about endurance, medals or marathon times. It’s about identity after retirement, challenging society’s expectations of older women, and proving that our later decades can become some of the boldest, most adventurous and purpose-filled years of our lives.
For more on Chris see her on Instagram
For more on our Blue Zone Longevity Experiences, click here for Sardinia and here for Ikaria. Email marcus@marcuspearce.com.au to find out more about Okinawa.
00:40 Discovering the 100 marathons club
04:03 Joining the running club
11:21 Becoming marathon tourists
15:39 Discussing nutrition and longevity
19:29 Running progress over a week
23:48 Starting on TikTok with granddaughter
27:19 Age diversity in audience interest