Fontana resident, 71, keeps running marathons | Sports

Ernie Negrete loves running marathons, and even at age 71, he doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon.

Negrete, a long-time Fontana resident, ran the L.A. Marathon on March 20, completing the 26.2-mile course at the prestigious event for the 17th time.

He said he has participated in a total of 29 marathons, including ones in Las Vegas, Nevada and Salt Lake City, Utah, since taking up the grueling sport in his 30s.

“It was just a challenge,” he said.

When he was much younger, the 1952 Fontana High School graduate enjoyed playing racquetball for many years at Miller Park. But then he came up with the idea for a different undertaking.

“I told my friends, ‘I want to run a marathon.’ They thought I was crazy,” he said. “But I really enjoyed the challenge.”

He said his fastest marathon time was 4 hours, 19 minutes, which he accomplished many years ago.

When he is not in training, he enjoys visiting Europe and researching his genealogy.