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Vietnamese-American septuagenarian completes over 130 marathons globally

With over 130 running races completed on all seven continents, Chau Smith, a 77-year-old Vietnamese-American, has established herself as a prominent figure in the global marathon community.

Administrator

16 March, 2024

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Chau, with her strong willpower, passion, and determination, is highly admired and respected by marathoners around the world. She embarked on her first marathon, which was over 42 kilometers, at the age of 46.

Over the past 31 years, Chau has developed a reputation for participating in marathons across the globe. She is one of the select few runners who have completed races in Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

In 2017, Chau gained international recognition on social media when she successfully completed the Triple 7 Quest. This grueling challenge required runners to conquer seven marathons on all seven continents in just seven days.

During the Triple 7 Quest, runners like Chau had to complete one marathon every 24 hours, including moving from one continent to another, having meals, resting, maintaining hygiene, and completing the race.

The challenge was physically demanding even for young individuals, but at the age of 70, Chau successfully completed the journey.

Chau has gone on to run more than 130 marathons worldwide at the age of 77.

Her husband, Michael Smith, who is four years older, is also passionate about marathons. Due to leg injuries, he is no longer able to run, but he supports and accompanies Chau on her marathon adventures around the world.

Many people prioritize buying new houses, cars, and luxury items, but for Chau and her husband, good health, exploring new places, and participating in marathons are their most valuable assets.

The couple still drives an old car because Chau would rather run than drive, despite her friends’ advice to purchase a new car. In the United States, she often runs to the market.

Chau and her husband made the decision to sell their large house and buy a smaller one so that they can allocate more funds to their passion for running around the world.

She emphasized that they worked hard and saved money to pursue their passion. When traveling to distant races, she often eats instant noodles, drinks beet juice, and wears old sports clothes.

In 2023, Chau accomplished a significant milestone by completing all six World Marathon Majors, which are considered the top marathons worldwide. This achievement followed her successful completion of the Tokyo Marathon.

She finished the Chicago Marathon in 2008, the Boston Marathon in 2013, the New York City Marathon in 2018, the London Marathon in 2021, the Berlin Marathon in 2022, and the Tokyo Marathon in 2023.

Chau recalled her experience at the Tokyo Marathon, where she had to be extremely careful and couldn’t even use the restroom due to time constraints. She only felt relieved after running for 30 kilometers.

Chau enjoys running in her homeland, Vietnam, and often returns to participate in marathons. After completing a race in the Philippines in late November, she traveled to Thailand for the Bangkok Marathon in early December 2023. One week later, she returned to Vietnam with her husband to compete in the Ho Chi Minh City International Marathon.

She took the opportunity to visit her birthplace, Cu Chi District in Ho Chi Minh City, and run the marathon despite the extreme heat in December. To keep cool during the race, she used ice.

Chau feels grateful to receive admiration from many runners during the marathon. She revealed that her husband loves Vietnam and appreciates the close-knit community life in her homeland. He especially enjoys Vietnamese dishes, particularly pho.

The 77-year-old, whose full name is Tran Thi Chau, migrated to the United States with her children and her first husband in 1972. After getting divorced, she married Michael Smith in 1982, and they currently reside in Kansas City, Missouri.

Chau used to run an alteration and dry-cleaning store before retiring. Running has always been a part of her and her husband’s daily routine, bringing them joy and maintaining their good health.

Chau has completed marathons in all 50 states of America and has also participated in marathons in various cities in Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City, Sa Pa, and Moc Chau Town.

Despite her age, Chau remains healthy without any medication. She practices yoga for 30-45 minutes every day, starting at 6:00 am.