At 75 years old, Duy An Chung is proving that age is just a number. This Sunday, Chung will lace up his running shoes and step up to the start line at Parc Jean-Drapeau for the Montreal Half-Marathon - his 15th time taking part in the event since 2009. “I will be participating in it as usual,” Chung says with a grin, “and hopefully I will finish it with a smile.” Chung takes a balanced approach to the 21.1KM course, alternating between running and walking. For him, the race isn’t about time - it’s about self-fulfillment. Chung’s journey as a runner began shortly after a health scare. In 2008, he had a stent put in his heart. “From that time, whenever I see a friend or relative, everybody looks at me and says, ‘How do you feel? Are you feeling good? Be careful. Don’t do this and that,’” he recalls. “After a while, you know, I get a little bit tired of it.” He decided to prove to himself - and others - that life after a heart procedure could still be active and fulfilling. “From that time, whenever people asked me, ‘How do you feel?’ I no answer. I just smile and show them my marathon proof.” His message is simple: listen to your body and stay active. “The main goal is to finish with a smile.” Chung will be joined by more than 32,000 runners across all events this weekend — a much stronger turnout than last year, according to organizers. “We’re looking at 20 per cent more than last year,” says Alex Ratthe, General Manager of Courons Montreal. “We’re growing, but we want to grow smartly. It’s going to be a big running party here in Montreal.” The 2025 Montreal Marathon kicks off Sunday at 7:45 a.m. at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Participants will make their way through the city before finishing at Maisonneuve Park — where Duy An Chung will once again cross the line, celebrating another year of defying expectations.
