Joy Johnson passed away in her sleep one day after solidifying her status as the oldest woman to complete the New York City Marathon. She was 86 years old.
“I think she would be happy with this chain of events: to run her beloved New York marathon, talk to her buddy Al, be there with her sister Faith,” daughter Diana Boydston told Today, referencing Joy’s chat with Al Roker on Monday’s morning show. “She told everyone she loved them before the race, and she was at peace.”
Sunday was Joy’s 25th New York City Marathon. Although she was a gym teacher, Joy only began running when she was 59. Her best finish time was 3:55 during the 1999 race, but her most recent time of eight hours was arguably more impressive. Joy was only one of 30 octogenarians who completed Sunday’s race.
Before tackling the 26.2, Joy told local news organization that she was just pleased to participate: “I’ll be at the back of the pack, but I don’t mind… I just praise the Lord I can get out of bed each morning and run. A lot of people my age are in wheelchairs.”
Joy gained a good deal of respect in the running community after a Wall Street Journal profile in 2008.
Joy took a small tumble around the 20 mile mark of Sunday’s race, but seemed to be in good health. She reportedly died in her sleep while resting on Monday afternoon — which is exactly how her family and friends believe she wanted to go.
“She was determined to run ‘til she dropped,” friend and fellow runner Will Sanchez told Today. “That gives some comfort, some closure to her family. She did it her way.”
