M75-79 Half Marathon: Shiller Owns the Field

• Sole finisher and champion: Barry Shiller, 75, San Francisco, CA — 3:16:51, 15:01/mi
• Steady climb through the men's field: moved from 1,742nd to 1,724th among men across the race's opening segments
• Consistent presence on course: posted the 1,723rd-fastest split in the field on the 2.95M–5M segment

There's a simple way to win the M75-79 field at the San Francisco Half Marathon: show up and finish. Barry Shiller, a 75-year-old local from San Francisco itself, did exactly that — and then some. Crossing the line in 3:16:51 at a 15:01/mi pace, Shiller was the only finisher in his field, making him both the winner and the standard-setter for the day.

Racing a half marathon through San Francisco's hills in 60°F humidity-laden air is no formality at any age, let alone at 75. Shiller moved steadily through the men's field as the race progressed — sitting 1,742nd among men early on, then working his way to 1,724th by the finish — a quiet but real forward momentum over 13.1 miles.

He may have been the only name on the M75-79 results sheet, but the finish line doesn't care about the size of the field. Shiller ran his race, ran it through, and took home the win.