Battling Noel Johnson

Name: Battling Noel Johnson
Hometown: Heron Lake, Minnesota, USA
Died: 1996-01-21 (Age:96)
Pro Boxer: Record

Battling Noel Johnson (July 7, 1899-January 21, 1996) was an advanced age marathon runner, boxer and athlete who set a number of records in the New York City Marathon and the Senior Olympics.

Earlier life

Johnson was born in Heron Lake, Minnesota. He supported himself during the great depression as a professional boxer. He later moved to San Diego, married, and worked for Corvair.

Life as a senior athlete

Later a widower, he was told by his doctors at age 70 that he had only six months to live. Embarking on a new life of diet, exercise, weight training, isometrics, walking, and marathon running, he became the premier athlete in the 65 and over age group in the United States. His diet included eating fresh raw bee pollen. He appeared on over a million wheaties boxes in 1977.

Accomplishments and awards

Johnson was a regular participant in the Senior Olympics. In 1979, he won gold medals in the marathon, the mile, 13000 meters, and in boxing-where he regained his amateur status and won the final at age 79 by stopping his 40 year old opponent. His opponent was wearing headgear Johnson was not. He ran marathons across the United States and around the world. He was awarded the Presidential Award for Physical Fitness by President Ronald Reagan. One of his books, entitled A Dud at 70, A Stud at 80: How To Do It features a cover with Johnson, 80, and his thirty-something girlfriend. Johnson died at his home in San Diego on January 21, 1996. He was survived by a son and daughter in San Diego, 3 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.[1]

New York City Marathon records

• 84 Year Olds 26.2 Miles in 5 Hours, 42 Minutes, 19 Seconds
• 88 Year Olds 26.2 Miles in 7 Hours, 40 Minutes, 58 Seconds
• 90 Year Olds 26.2 Miles Did Not Finish

Books by Noel Johnson

• A Dud at 70, A Stud at 80: How To Do It By Noel Johnson, 1981
• The Living Proof, 1990

References

• Biographical Reference Training Regimen Described