Cornish Runner Stuns World Stage: How a 71 Year Old Took the Marathon Crown

Cornwall’s Andrea Simmons has been crowned the Marathon Majors Worldwide Champion 2025 after a standout performance at the TCS New York City Marathon. The 71 year old from Newlyn finished as the fastest female runner in the 70+ category, completing the race in 3 hours, 37 minutes and 48 seconds.

A Year of Global Wins

Andrea’s New York result follows her first place finish in the same age group at the Boston Marathon in April. Both Boston and New York are part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, alongside London, Berlin, Chicago and Tokyo. The New York race was the age group championship, securing Andrea her title as Worldwide Champion for 2025.

She said: “New York was amazing. I was worried about the early start, getting up at 4am to catch the 5am bus to the start. We got to Staten Island about 6am in the dark and had to wait for 3 hours before the race began.

“I don’t remember too much about the run. The start was amazing, running over the bridge for 2 miles. I felt good and was worried I had started off too fast. However, I knew I had to keep the pace up to podium; luckily, I was able to keep up a steady pace and it proved successful. It was a great experience, especially running through Central Park at the end.”

Three More Races Before the Six Star Medal

Andrea plans to complete her remaining World Majors in 2026. Japan awaits in March, Cape Town in May for the World Championship, and Chicago in October. The journey will earn her the Abbott World Marathon Majors Six Star medal. As she puts it, “Hopefully, that will be seven if Cape Town qualifies,” said with a smile.

Hayle Runners Celebrate Their Champion

Andrea is a member of Hayle Runners, where she currently holds the title of Veteran of the Year. Club chair Richard Collett said: “We are enormously proud of Andrea. Her New York result not only demonstrates exceptional athletic endurance but also underscores her status as a global inspiration to masters athletes and older runners everywhere.”

Andrea credits the club with helping her improve. “I love the social side of running, being outside and enjoying the elements,” she said. “I have loved being part of a running club and have improved so much since joining. Mostly, I love running in a group and progressing. I always used to be a solo runner with no real aim.”

One of the Fastest in the UK

According to Run Britain, Andrea is the fastest UK affiliated marathon runner in the 70+ age category. She is also the second fastest half marathon runner and third fastest 10k runner throughout 2025.

She is competing in the ‘Super Halfs’ half marathon series too, taking first place at the Prague half marathon in April with a time of 1:44:40.

Cornwall Training Grounds and Local Podiums

Andrea first tried running in her 30s, but it was in her 50s that she found her rhythm. She believes Cornwall’s conditions give her an edge. “Running in Cornwall is always a challenge. There are no flat runs, and living by the sea you continually have the wind to contend with. This can only make you a better runner.”

When she’s not flying across the world for major events, Andrea continues to represent Cornwall in local races, taking podium finishes both at home and abroad.

📷Andrea Simmons - Photo credit: Oz Curtis