This 72-year-old boss is training to complete 100 marathons by age 100 — and he only started running at 50. How a healthy lifestyle in old age can make your money go the extra mile

By Bogorpedia January 13, 2025 Post a Comment

Greg Ho accomplishes more before breakfast than many people do in an entire day, even though he's in what most would consider retirement age. At 72, he's the president of a New York investment firm and has accomplished a remarkable feat by running his first marathon at the age of 56. Since then, he has completed an impressive 43 marathons and aims to reach a total of 100 marathons by the time he turns 100 years old.

According to Ho, despite his doctors' concerns and his busy schedule which allows for little sleep, he believes that his extensive workout routine is what keeps him going. "Physically and mentally, running helps me perform despite the lack of sleep," he said. "It gives me the energy to do what I want to do and stays me engaged."

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It's not every retiree's cup of tea to take on marathon running, but Ho's story shows how staying healthy later in life can make a huge difference. As he explains, it keeps him mentally sharp and allows him to connect with others who share similar interests.

Other retirees can learn from his example. Here are some two ways that healthy lifestyle choices can help you make your savings last longer.

1. You can avoid pricey medical care expenses

The cost warning is for older individuals, with a median expense of $21,400 for a 65-year-old, rising to $36,600 at 90 years old. Those with health problems incur much higher expenses. Someone in the top 10% of spenders can expect average annual costs of $43,500 at 65 and $79,900 at 90.

The plan won't cover all of the costs seniors face, especially if they need expensive prescription drugs. As a result, many older Americans find themselves dipping into their retirement savings to cover their medical expenses.

If you follow Ho's example and stay in shape, you might be able to reduce the need for expensive medical services and avoid the ongoing costs associated with treating chronic illnesses like diabetes.

"I discovered a huge difference between how healthy I thought I was and what I was capable of with some effort," Ho said to Business Insider. He reportedly lowered his cholesterol levels and blood pressure when he started marathon training, and even his joints, which were a concern for him, handled the intense fitness routine well once he adopted an anti-inflammatory diet.

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2. You can delay or prevent the need for long-term care

Besides keeping healthcare costs low, being in overall physical health can also decrease the likelihood that you'll need costly long-term care in a nursing home or at home.

Seven in ten people aged 65 and over will need long-term care during their lifetime. The average monthly cost for a semi-private room in a nursing home is $8,669, while receiving care from a health aide at home costs $6,292 per month.

If you keep yourself physically fit, you can put off the day when you'll need help taking care of yourself as long as possible, or maybe even avoid needing it altogether. Staying healthy might help you make your money last longer and potentially leave behind a lasting legacy.

Engaging in 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week can significantly reduce the risk of various diseases and improve health metrics such as blood sugar and cholesterol levels, both of which significantly improved for Ho after he started exercising.

And you individually can go the extra mile.