Age-defying athlete: 95-year-old Jewish runner competing in Senior Games at Stanford

Frank Levine is ready to race — and maybe break a world record or two.

At age 95, it would definitely be something to brag about.

The Pennsylvania resident is participating in the Summer National Senior Games, which are being held in the Bay Area. He arrived Aug. 5 for his track debut over the weekend. This year’s Senior Games, sponsored by Stanford University, began Aug. 1 and will run through Aug. 15.

Frank Levine

Levine has been running since he turned 65, and has been breaking world records ever since. He holds two world records, including one he won in July at a USA Track and Field event in Wisconsin. He ran the 5,000 in 50 minutes, 10 seconds, breaking the record for his age group: 95- to 99-year-olds.

Levine only started running seriously at 65, but his athletic career began much earlier. He served in the Navy during World War II and won the Navy Boxing Championships in his weight class, as well as winning a Golden Gloves title in New York City, his former hometown.

He no longer boxes, but he still “hits the heavy bag,” Levine said in a phone interview from his home in East Norriton, Pa., a suburb of Philadelphia.

Levine is optimistic about his Senior Games races. “I think I’m going to win two of the events,” he said. “The same two I won in the USA Track and Field: 5,000 meter and the 1,500 meter.”

It’s unusual for a 95-year-old to be a star athlete, but Levine says his strict regimen is what keeps him on the track.

Most of his races are in the morning, and he does not eat for three hours before racing. When he eats breakfast, he has a set formula: “I have piece of fruit, and then I have a dish where I have cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts and wheat germ — and of course, plenty of liquid.”

He also runs two miles every other day to stay in shape, and trains for marathons by incrementally adding miles to his training runs. Since taking up running 30 years ago, he has run in 18 marathons.

“Marathons are the easiest to prepare for,” Levine said. “The ordinary runner starts two to five miles per day per week. Every weekend, they add a mile. It’s three months of training, but that’s how they get to 26 miles.”

He competes against anyone and everyone: “The youngest runner I ever raced against, in some of the events, they’ve been 7 or 8 years old,” he said.

Levine, who is Jewish, says he hasn’t encountered any discrimination in his athletic career. “You race, you get there, everyone is allowed,” he said. “At the end, you win or lose. Color or race doesn’t count. There have never been any questions about race or religion.”

During the Senior Games, he will be having Shabbat dinner with a Jewish family affiliated with the Games.

As for staying fit at nearly 100? Levine says there’s no real secret — just discipline.

“You know as well as I do, some people are fortunate,” he said. “I’m sure if I was 50 pounds overweight I would not be able to do it. The average person, if you live by the rules, and know them, would be able to do it. If you obey those rules you will do well.”

The 2009 Senior Games are being held through Aug. 15 at various venues around the Bay Area. The track and field portion will be held at Stanford University. For more information, visit http://www.2009seniorgames.org.