Marathon Man: Bahir Mansur has competed in 50 marathons and counting
By Chuck Fieldman
Don’t tell Bahir Mansur that at 75 years old, he should be slowing down or should have started that process years ago.
The 37-year resident of Clarendon Hills still maintains his long-standing family practice physician’s office in Forest Park. And while retirement remains some-thing for the future in his working life, it’s something he does outside of work that seems even much more unusual for someone his age.
After he started running in 1984 and ran 1.7 miles at that time, Mansur ran his first marathon in 1985. He only missed one Chicago Marathon between 1988 and 2019. He sustained a left knee meniscal tear in the fall of 2020, which resulted in “severe and excruciating pain” that led to him putting a stop to his marathon participation.
“I greatly missed running the Chicago marathon since,” he said.
That stop in running put a hold on marathons, but there’s nothing like making a comeback, even after turning 75 in September.
Mansur said he is considering competing in the Philadelphia Marathon next fall.
“I decided to run at least one more marathon while I still can run a decent time,” he said. “I have started training for it and will increase the mileage gradually.”
To date, Mansur has participated in about 50 marathons, 33 of which were Chicago marathons. He finished all of them.
Other than the Chicago Marathon, Mansur has participated in multiple Lake County marathons, six in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as the Wisconsin Dells, Rockford , IL, and Philadelphia.
“I used to run two marathons per year, sometimes three,” he said. “I found out that by pushing myself, I can increase the mileage; it came naturally. I would probably consult a trainer if I had to do it again, though.”
His personal best time for the 26.2-mile marathon is 3 hours 41 minutes.
“When I was younger, I was always trying to improve my time,” Mansur said. “At the present time, my best aspirations are to participate and finish. Although 26.2 miles is a long distance, it surprises me that once I start, I do not think about anything but finishing, and that is what helps me finish all these marathons.”
Along with the marathons on his resume, Mansur said he became hooked in 2015 on half Ironman triathlons, which include a 1.2-mile swim, followed by 56 miles of cycling and then a 13.1-mile run.
“Prior to 2015, I participated in dozens of Chicago triathlons, including two of the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenges,” he said. “My best part is the swim, especially swimming in a river, and the least fun is the run because it comes at the end, and the athlete is exhausted and dehydrated.”
Mansur’s interest in challenging, physical events apparently has been passed down to his son, Paul, 36, who has participated in 20 half Ironman triathlons and completed two full Ironman triathlons.
“Out of the 20 half-Ironman triathlons, I have done seven together with him,” Mansur said. “My son gives me a lot of confidence when he is with me. It’s needless to say that he finishes way ahead of me, but it is awesome to see him at the finish line and to sit down with him and talk about it.”
Mansur has little explanation for why he continues to run marathons and compete in Ironman events at 75 years old. But the fact that he still enjoys it is sufficient motivation.
“It is very satisfying to be able to run and work strenuously at this stage,” he said. “I will continue as long as I can, remembering that age is a number.Obviously, the physical benefits are weight control, cardiovascular fitness, and musculoskeletal benefits. In addition, mental benefits are discipline, patience, courage, and tolerance for pain.”
Mansur’s son, Paul, is very impressed, but not really surprised, that his father continues to participate in marathons and half triathlons. “It’s amazing that he’s still doing it; it’s been our whole life together,” Paul said. “He’s very stubborn, which helps keep him going, and he’s never really stopped with this. If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.”
Paul enjoyed having his father coach his youth soccer teams in the past and even later playing soccer on the same team. But still being able to share an activity with his father is extra special, he said. “Staying connected with the running and sharing it with him, there’s nothing better,” Paul said.
Bahir Mansur participates in the swim portion of a triathlon.
Bahir Mansur sets up in the transition area of the 2017 Half Iron Man Triathlon in Delaware, Ohio.
