How a widowed father, cancer survivor, world-class runner, and lifelong environmentalist became one of the most inspiring centenarians alive today.
From beach jogs at sunrise to canoe races that push the limits of any age, Mike Fremont has spent more than a century living forward — moving, laughing, and choosing joy with unmistakable intentionality. At 103, he is a four-time world record holder in running, the oldest person to compete in the Canoe National Championships, and a beloved ambassador for healthy living. But his story didn’t begin with medals. It began with heartbreak — and a decision that changed everything.
A Run That Started With Loss
In 1958, tragedy struck. Mike’s first wife died suddenly of a brain hemorrhage at just 29, leaving him a young widower with three small children — one only two weeks old. Grieving and overwhelmed, he knew he needed an outlet.
“I needed to do something every day to take the stress off,” he recalled. “So I’d take one of my little kids, and she would hold my finger, and we’d run.”
That simple act — father and child jogging together at the end of long, heavy days — became the foundation of a life defined by movement. Running replaced the martini he once reached for before dinner. It cleared his mind, strengthened his body, and planted the seeds for a future he couldn’t have imagined.
A Second Crisis — And a Life-Saving Change
Decades later, at age 69, Mike faced another life-altering challenge: colorectal cancer. Doctors gave him three months to live. Six physicians recommended immediate treatment, but Mike chose a different path.
He committed fully to a strict vegan, macrobiotic diet, inspired by the book The Cancer Prevention Diet. It was a decision that would define the rest of his life.
“The standard American diet took nearly 70 years to threaten my life,” he said. “Going vegan killed the metastases in just over two years.”
When surgeons finally removed his tumor, they were stunned: there was no spread of the disease. None.
With a second chance ahead of him, Mike didn’t slow down — he sped up.
A Record-Setting Athlete in His 80s, 90s, and Beyond
After recovering from cancer, Mike began racing. And winning. A lot.
He set world records for:
• Fastest marathon by an 80-year-old
• Fastest marathon by a 90-year-old
• Fastest half-marathon at age 90
• Fastest half-marathon at age 91
And at 96, he broke the U.S. record for the fastest mile in the 95–99 age group.
Even his running partner, ultrarunner Harvey Lewis, is in awe:
“Mike has the energy of a high-school teenager. Probably more. He can do more pull-ups and push-ups than many active young people — and he’ll have you laughing within minutes.”
Mike’s training continues to stun people:
• Runs 10 miles three times a week
• Canoes on the off-days
• Does 100–400 pushups on strength days
• Still races canoes long-distance — even 70-mile events
At 99, he became the oldest competitor ever in the U.S. Canoe National Championships.
“People say they’ve seen me walking around here for years,” he jokes. “I tell them, ‘You just insulted me! I’m pretending to run!”
A Purpose That Goes Far Beyond Racing
Mike is not just an athlete — he’s a lifelong environmentalist. Inspired by Silent Spring in 1962, he spent more than 30 years advocating for river conservation locally, statewide, and nationally. He helped restore waterways in Ohio, Brazil, and Africa, and was inducted into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame for his impact.
A mechanical engineer by training and founder of his own manufacturing business, Mike retired in 1988 — but he never retired from purpose.
He still:
- Speaks at schools about health and the environment
- Encourages plant-based eating
- Mentors competitive canoe racers
- Advocates for cleaner agriculture systems
To him, a long life isn’t luck — it’s lifestyle:
“It isn’t genetics. It’s my diet, no stress, and staying active. That’s why I’m here.”
Love, Laughter & Vegan Birthday Cake at 100
On his 100th birthday, Mike ran along the ocean in Vero Beach with his wife Marilyn, whom he married nearly 30 years ago. Friends, family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren joined the celebration. Even members of a traveling Mexican musical group stopped to sing him a birthday song.
“I’m having the best time of my life,” he said. “It’s incredibly wonderful to be able to do this stuff at this age.”
His philosophy?
Move more. Laugh often. Eat plants. Avoid stress. Find purpose. Live lightly.
“Come with me. I’ll walk with you.”
Although he no longer chases records, Mike still trains, still races, and still encourages others — especially beginners — to simply get moving.
“For anyone daunted by exercise, just give it a try. You can’t be uptight after running. It makes you feel good, relaxed, healthier, and better-looking. Come with me. I’ll walk with you. I’ll run with you. Whatever you want to do.”
At 103, he continues to live proof of what’s possible when body, mind, and heart work together — with resilience, gratitude, and joy.
Photo: © Dwi Anoraganingrum/Geisler-Fotopress / Alamy. Editorial use only.