Bragging rights: Retired Marine finishes 25th Carlsbad Marathon

By the numbers: Cacciola was the oldest runner to finish Sunday's marathon.

• He was a high school athlete but only started distance running at age 52.
• He typically covers the 26.2 miles in well under 6 hours, but finished slower on Sunday because of an injured leg.
• At age 75, he posted his fastest time in the last 16 years.
• Cacciola says he actually has run the marathon for the last 26 years, because he ran 26.2 miles during COVID by himself.

Fun fact: Cacciola still works full time, running a charter boat business out of Oceanside Harbor. He fits in shorter runs over the summer, then gradually increases his mileage before the race.

Zoom in: His favorite thing about the race is its coastal views.

• "You're on this coastal highway and there's no traffic, no cars, and it's just you and the ocean and your fellow runners — that's really beautiful," he told Axios.

Flashback: A lot has changed about running in the last 25 years, especially the gear.

• Of course there are the shoes, "but even the socks you wear, the clothing, the dry-wick," he said.

What they're saying: "Don't let your age ever deter you from taking on a challenge or pursuing a goal," he said. "Because you will surprise yourself at times."