89-year-old finishes 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race, only person to run every year

Bill Thorn has run every AJC Peachtree Road Race and he did it again Thursday.

Bill Thorn was surrounded by about 20 of his friends and family as he walked toward the finish line at the AJC Peachtree Road Race. His entourage was holding life-size printouts of his face and chanting "50! 50! 50!"

He is the only person to run the road race all 50 times.

The 89-year-old said he walked more than ran this year, though he managed to quicken his pace to a jog as he finished his 50th Peachtree Road Race.

“This is the best I’ve felt in the past two or three years,” he said.

Bill Thorn, 89, and his wife, Patty, are surrounded by family and friends holding his picture at the conclusion of the 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race, having proved enough longevity to have run in every race since the inception.  Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com

Credit: compton@ajc.com

icon to expand image

Credit: compton@ajc.com

Thorn finished in just over two hours, and when asked about next year’s race, he said he’ll have to wait and see what the next year brings.

“It depends on what I do each day towards that day,” he said. “When you get to a certain age, quit trying to compete and get your fitness in order.”

» RELATED: Results, photos and more from the AJC Peachtree Road Race.