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In this unstoppable conversation, Mary Croft joins Sally Hed Dahlquist to reflect on a life that’s equal parts endurance and service. Mary recently celebrated her 80th birthday by running 50 miles at the Across the Years ultra event in Arizona. That milestone is just one chapter in a running career that includes 235 marathons and ultras, with 70 ultramarathons (up to 100 miles), races in all 50 states, and finishes on all 7 continents.
Mary’s story stretches far beyond the finish line. She grew up as the daughter of Lutheran missionaries in Papua New Guinea, spent formative years in boarding school in Australia, and later built a career in nursing including work inside the Stillwater Prison in Minnesota. Along the way, she shares what endurance has taught her about consistency, community, aging, motivation, and staying grounded when the world (and the sport) changes.
This episode is full of practical runner talk (fueling, gear, pacing, loop events, the evolution of marathons) and deeper reflections on purpose, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward through every season of life.
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
- How Mary celebrated turning 80 by running 80K (50 miles) at Across the Years
- What a multi-day loop event is like (and why it creates real community)
- How fueling has changed over the decades (from water + butterscotch candies to gels and electrolytes)
- Her origin story: the wellness movement, a friend’s discipline, and the first Twin Cities Marathon
- Why Mary ended her Twin Cities Marathon streak in 2025, and how it felt to let that identity go
- How the sport has changed over the decades
- What it was like growing up in Papua New Guinea and returning later with her husband and son
- How Mary found her footing returning to college in Minnesota after years overseas
- The reality of nursing inside the Stillwater Prison and how healthcare work shows up there
Key Takeaways:
- Community is a performance enhancer. Loop races and long events create space for real conversation and connection.
- You don’t have to optimize everything to be a “real runner.” Mary’s approach is body-led, not data-led.
- Consistency outlasts trends. Fueling fads, tech, and marketing evolve — but the basics still matter.
- Goals can shift without losing meaning. Ending a decades-long streak can be an act of freedom, not failure.
If This Episode Inspired You:
- Share it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s never “too late” to do hard things
- Subscribe to Unstoppable: Stories That Move
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And If You Want to Do Something Bigger:
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