By Liz Eckert, Greenwich
At 64 years young, Greenwich resident Tom Eckert has accomplished something extraordinary. The proud grandfather of five recently completed the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., a grueling 26.2-mile race that would challenge even the most seasoned athletes.
But what makes Eckert’s achievement truly remarkable isn’t just his age or the distance he ran. It’s the fact that he accomplished it with two artificial hips.
Eckert’s journey began nearly three decades ago, in 1997, when he was training for the New York City Marathon. During that time, he discovered he needed both hips replaced. The diagnosis brought his marathon dreams to an abrupt halt, forcing him to give up a sport he loved.
For years, running seemed like a chapter of his life that had permanently closed.
But about three years ago, Eckert received news that would change everything. He learned that the ceramic hip replacements he had could allow him to safely return to running.
And that’s exactly what he did.
With renewed determination, Eckert laced up his running shoes and began chasing the dream he had been forced to put aside so many years earlier.
Fast-forward to today, and this inspiring Greenwich senior has now completed two full marathons and four half marathons — an incredible accomplishment for someone who once believed he might never run again.
And Eckert has absolutely no intention of slowing down.
In April 2027, he plans to take on the world-famous London Marathon. He also has his sights set on competing in the Jones Beach Half Ironman in 2027, adding another exciting challenge to his growing list of athletic achievements.
While many people his age are thinking about slowing down, Eckert is picking up the pace — one mile at a time.
His story is a powerful reminder that life’s setbacks don’t have to define our future, and that sometimes the dreams we put on hold are simply waiting for us to chase them again.
For this Greenwich grandfather of five, crossing the finish line represents far more than completing another race. It represents perseverance, second chances, and the extraordinary power of refusing to give up.
Congratulations, Tom Eckert. You’re not just running marathons — you’re inspiring everyone around you to believe that it’s never too late to make a comeback.