Surrounded by Loved Ones, Angela Tortorice Sets Record
Angela Tortorice didn’t know it yet, but as she crossed the finish line of her first marathon in 1997, she was on her way to setting a world record.
On April 2, 2022, Tortorice crossed the finish line at the Irving Marathon. It was her 1,000 finish.
Tortorice (middle) celebrates finishing 1,000 marathons.
Tortorice is the first woman in the United States to have completed 1,000 marathons. She is also the youngest female to do so.
That is 26,200 miles.
For reference, Forest Gump ran an estimated 15,248 miles. The earth’s circumference is 24,901 miles around.
“I’m feeling anxious to get there,” Tortorice said a week before the event. “I’m really looking forward to being around friends, family, everyone I love to be with. Half the reason this sport exists is the comradery.”
Tortorice cross the finish line with friends, family, and supporters.
Friends, family, and supports joined Tortorice in the final steps of her marathon, allowing her to finish the run surrounded by everyone she loves to be with.
Some of the friends who joined Tortorice have known her since childhood.
“She is goal driven, but also encourages the people around her,” Felecia Maness said. “I used to play tennis with her in high school. She is very competitive and has a great heart and spirit. She is always concerned about those around her. She is very kind and generous.”
“Angela is the most goal-driven person we know,” Deborah Canup said. “Everytime she sets a goal she has met that goal. But also met it early. She graduated high school early. She graduated college with a Masters and Bachelors Degree at the same time. She is a lover of life. This is her passion and she loves it.”
“Not only is this about running for Angela, but she loves the people, the atmosphere, and the friends she’s made along the way,” Terri Parrigan said. “We’ve all been really close. She loves running and all the people.”
Tortorice smiles and holds her 1,000th marathon medal.
In addition, to support from loved ones, Tortotice also shared that her faith played a key role in achieving this goal.
“If I hadn’t had the Lord I wouldn’t have made it,” she said. “I thank him during the day. I can’t imagine doing anything like this without him.”
When asked about what is next, Tortorice said she plans to run more marathons and continue helping people through the money she’s raised.
“I want to be an inspiration to others, that I helped other people along the way,” she said. “This shouldn’t be about me and ‘I did this.’ This is about the friends, family, and love along the way.”
To view more photos of Tortorice’s celebration and her accomplishment, click here.