MDI Marathon will be Gloria Vasquez’ 96th Race!

Oct 18, 2025

by Matt Junker of the Bangor Daily News

MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Less than 1% of the general population has run a marathon.

Gloria Vasquez has run 95 of them.

And that’s not enough for the indefatigable 74-year-old runner from Florida, who is on a mission to run 100 marathons before the age of 100.

It’s a goal that Vasquez set after accomplishing a previous goal to run 50 of the 26.2-mile races by the age of 60.

She now has that 100-race milestone in sight as she prepares for marathon No. 96 this weekend: the Mount Desert Island Marathon that starts in Bar Harbor on Sunday.

“I’m almost to the end, and I just love to run,” Vasquez told the Bangor Daily News on Thursday about nearing that lofty goal.

She chose to run in the MDI marathon because a niece who lives in Maine wanted to try the half marathon, and Vasquez said she would join for the event.

“Goals keep me going,” Vasquez said.

She hopes to knock out the four remaining marathons after Sunday’s race by completing one or two per year.

“Let’s see how I feel,” she added.

This will be her second marathon in Maine, having previously completed the Maine Marathon in the Portland area in 2006.

Her first 26.2-mile race was the New York City Marathon, which she participated in as a prize for winning a smaller race.

“And I was hooked with the marathons,” she recalled.

She would love to do her 100th marathon back in New York City, where it all started.

As for others who may be attempting a marathon for the first time this weekend in Bar Harbor, the experienced runner has some advice.

“Just relax and enjoy the race,” Vasquez offered. “That’s what I always do, I enjoy it.”

It also doesn’t hurt that she never stops training.

“I never quit, no matter how hard it is,” she added.

And that doesn’t just apply to marathons, either. Vasquez is also in the midst of trying to complete the Appalachian Trail in pieces over time. She’s hoping to dedicate more time to that goal once she’s completed her marathon mission.

“If you love to do what you do, you just keep going,” she said.

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This story appears through a media partnership with the Bangor Daily News. That just means that each week, we can share some of their stories if we choose to and the BDN can share some of ours if they choose to.

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EXTRA INFORMATION FROM US:

2016 Olympic bronze medalist Jenny Simpson (1,500 meters) will be running this weekend as well, joining Vasquez and approximately 2,000 other runners on the island this weekend. She is also from Florida and trying to run in all 50 states this year.

MDI RACE DETAILS:

START TIME & LOCATION:

• Marathon—8:00 AM
  Bar Harbor (200 Main Street)
• Team Relay—8:00 AM
  Bar Harbor (200 Main Street)
• Half—8:30 AM
  Northeast Harbor (5 Manchester Road)
• All races finish in front of Pemetic School
  Southwest Harbor (327 Main Street)

COURSE TIME LIMIT:

• Marathon—There is an 6.5-hour (6:30) time limit beginning at 8:00AM.
• Half—There is an 4-hour (4:00) time limit beginning 8:30AM.
• The finish line will close at 2:30PM.

There is NO early start.

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Finish Line Festival: Marathon Sunday, October 19, 2025 ~ 9AM – 3PM

This is on Main Street in Southwest Harbor behind the finish line ~ Rain or shine

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PARKING AREAS FOR THE FINISH LINE FESTIVAL

• Golf of Maine Miniature Golf, 55 Main St. SWH
• Seal Cove Road Shoppes, Seal Cove Road
• Former Northern Lights Clinic, Herrick Road
• Old Morris Yacht parking lot, Clark Point Road and Ships Way
• Upper town dock, Clark Point Road
• Lower town dock, Clark Point Road
• Lot behind Southwest Harbor Town office / Police Department
• Community Health Centers, Community Way
• Dry Dock Inn paid parking lot, Main Street
• Post office parking lot, Clark Point Road
• Behind Pemetic Elementary School, Maple Lane