For Marblehead’s Sally Reiley, age has not been a reason or excuse to slow down. Instead, she has become one of the fastest distance runners in the world within her age group. Now, just days before her 13th Boston Marathon, the 66-year-old is ready to go for another rapid time in the 130th edition of the most prestigious distance race on the planet.
“I always enjoyed running, but I never did any racing,” said Reiley. “Let’s put it this way: running a marathon was never on my bucket list. People I know who run marathons are always talking about marathons and they’re always injured. I said: ‘Nope, not for me.’ I enjoy running and I want to be able to run when I’m old.”
However, after the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, Reiley was inspired to take on the challenge and begin training for the next year’s race.
“My first marathon, in response to the bombing, was Boston 2014,” Reiley said. “The intention was for it to be a one and done. I was nervous about having to raise all the money, I had a charity bib from Mass Eye and Ear. It turned out I enjoyed it. I found out I really loved long-distance running.”
Now, almost 12 years to the day from her first marathon, which she finished in 3 hours, 30 minutes, Reiley’s running career has taken off. After running Boston, she took on the Chicago Marathon in 2017 and New York in 2019.
After continuing to post strong times, she flew to London in 2022 and took part in the World Marathon Majors Age Group World Championships where she finished sixth in the women’s 60-64 class. She has taken part in the age group championships two additional times, most recently in 2025 in New York where she finished second in the 65-69 class.
Reiley picked up another major achievement in her running career just last month when she took part in the Tokyo Marathon on March 1, becoming a six-star finisher by completing all six of the World Marathon Majors (Boston, Chicago, New York, London, Berlin and Tokyo).
During her training, Reiley also tests shoes for RoadTrailRun.com, a website started by a college friend, Sam Winebaum.
“Everyone calls me an influencer, I call myself an educator,” said Reiley. “[Winebaum] reached out and said: ‘If I can get a pair of shoes sent to you, would you run in them and let me know what you think?’ It’s taken off since then. Now, in my email feed this morning, I had like 10 different brands reaching out to me saying: ‘Where are we going to see you in Boston? I want to show you this… can I give you a pair of these shoes to test? I’m still under embargo for another month, but let me know!’ It’s been a lot of fun!”
Even though Reiley is a qualified runner on her own, she continues to run under the banner of Team Mass Eye and Ear. Over the past 12 years, she has raised nearly $400,000 for the hospital and doctors that saved her grandmother’s vision after she experienced double retinal detachment.
“It’s for the family connection of being grateful patients,” said Reiley. “My father served on their board until two years before he passed. He was on the board until 2020. Of all of my siblings — I’m one of five — I’m the only one who lives on the east coast. I decided I’d love to get involved. I’m now a trustee and I spent a year working there. It’s fun just to keep up with the research.”
With the marathon just days away and cold, fast conditions on the horizon, Reiley, the oldest Marbleheader to participate in the race, hopes to set another time of 3 hours 30 minutes and stand on her age group’s podium for the first time in Boston after missing out by less than a minute last year. She also looks to continue to raise money for Mass Eye and Ear. Read more about her run HERE.
The Current wishes the best of luck to all Marblehead runners. They include Zach Blatt, Tyler Callahan, Margaux Danforth, Daniel Donato, Matthew Duca, Kristin Gendron, Liam Hill, Richard Jordan, Montana Joyce, John Lequin, Ava Mahoney, Jenn Mangold, Ross Patterson, Emily Promise, Sally Reiley, Adam Sherf, Jacob Sherf, Lori Sherf, Thomas Smith, Scott Snyder, Sarah Strachan, Chloe Trudel, Brian Wishart and Bethany Zanrucha.
