After 34 years as a track and field and cross country coach —in which time he's won 30 state girls and boys titles— you would think that Landmark Christian coach Bill Thorn would be an avid runner. And he is, even at 77 years of age.

But running The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race? At that age? Count on it. In fact, you've been able to count on Thorn being at the starting line, and finishing, the Peachtree Road Race every year of its existence, and that's 38 years.

Phil Skinner/AJC (ENLARGE)

Bill Thorn, the only person to run every single Peachtree Road Race, with a collection of race t-shirts.

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As he prepared to run his 39th Peachtree, Thorn slowed down long enough to talk about how he prepares for the race and his experiences over the years.

Training

"I don't just train for the Peachtree Road Race. I'm doing something every day, all the time. I'll be 78 in September. At that age, it would be hard for me to stop and then try to start again. I have a routine that I follow year-round.

"I try to mix it up a little, so that it's not boring. I ride a stationary bike, and I have a mini trampoline in my house that I run on for about 35 or 40 minutes. Every once in a while I'll do a fast-paced walk for two or three miles.

"Then I do four sets of [40] pushups, four sets of [60] situps and four sets of jumping [100 times] on my trampoline. I call it bounding."

Most memorable race

"In my early 40s, when the race was in its early stages, maybe just four or five years old, I had set a goal of finishing in under 40 minutes. I was really ready for it, and I was running really well, feeling really good.

"But that was the first year that the race started to get big, and I don't think [race officials] were expecting that many people. So when I got near the end, by the Equitable Building, I came to a halt because of all of the people who were in the way, trying to cross the finish line. I couldn't get through.

"I think I would have broken 40 minutes. I'm pretty sure I would have. But I'll never really know."

Best part

"When it's over. No, seriously, it's a lot of fun. I run with my pastor, Rev. Howard Dial [Berachah Bible Church]. We've run together in almost every race, except a few. This year I'm running with a close friend of mine, Jim Boyd, and with my granddaughter, [Landmark rising junior] Kenzie Thrasher."

Worst part

"As you get older, your system shuts down. Running the race gets tougher. Your mind wants you to do it, but your body doesn't want to. I've still finished every year. It was really hard a few years ago, when I was battling prostate cancer. I had to stop and walk a couple of times. But I got through it."

Pre-race meal

"I don't eat anything. I might drink one of those energy drinks. We get out there pretty early to get in place at the starting line by [7 a.m.]."

Post-race meal

"I eat breakfast, or I'll eat some bagels or bananas that they have at the end of the race. That holds me over until we have our cookout with the family that afternoon."

How many more

"I have no idea. I at least want to get through next year, which is the 40th. I'd like to make it to 50 if I could. This year, they are going to have me come up on stage and present the award to the Georgia runner with the fastest time. That will be pretty special."