82-year-old competing in Hot Rods 24-hour ultra run

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.-It’s hard to stay awake for 24 hours straight…but can you imagine running for 24 hours straight?

The Hot Rods 24 hour ultra run is this weekend…and only the most dedicated runners and walkers are braving to try it! 

“With 24 hours, there’s no time limit so I’ll go as far as I can go,” said ultra marathoner Al Emma. 

From Pennsylvania, Al is driving 702 miles across the country for the race…

“I’ve done a marathon in every state and every Canadian province,” said Al. 

He’s 82 years old…but he’s not letting his age slow him down. He’s trying to complete the most ultra marathons of anyone over the age of 80 years old. 

“I’m 82. I’ve had a great life and I’m having more fun than I ever had in my life,” said Al.

He’s already done 23 ultra marathons this year. 

And Hot Rods own Eric Leach is participating in a special way…raising money for a non profit that’s close to heart, with every mile he completes. 

“I decided to enter the ultra marathon and kind of the joke is I’m not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination but it’s more like anybody can do this and I’m passionate about that so why not take some time, walk, raise money and awareness for Down Syndrome of South Central Kentucky,” said Leach. 

His goal is to complete 21 miles, to represent 21 chromosomes. The ultra marathon is Saturday and you can register here.