World record-holding SA runner preparing for 990th marathon

Parvaneh Moayedi to run in Rock ‘n' Roll Marathon on Sunday

SAN ANTONIO – Completing 1,001 marathons across the world -- that is the goal for Parvaneh Moayedi.

A native of Iran, Moayedi came to San Antonio about 30 years ago, but her love for running marathons didn’t begin until about 15 years later.

“My first marathon was actually right here in San Antonio almost 17 years ago,” Moayedi said. “It was the first race I ever signed up for.”

Since then, Moayedi has run races in all seven continents.

“More than half of the year I’m traveling all over the world and running marathons,” Moayedi said.

In 2013, Moayedi became a dual Guinness World Record-Holder for the most marathons run by a woman in one year (168 races), and she also has the world record for the most consecutive marathons run by a female (17 races).

Moayedo said her toughest race so far was the Badwater Ultramarathon. That race is 135 miles non-stop from Death Valley to Mount Whitney, California. The race happens over a span of  48 hours, in temperatures up to 130 degrees.

“If we put our mind into it and set goals and milestones, one by one we do anything,” Moayedi said.

At the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, on Sunday, Moayedi will be running her 990th marathon, 11 away from her goal of 1,001 races. During the marathon, she will be a pacer toward the end of the race. Moayedi says she likes to encourage those struggling to finish and help them cross the finish line. 

“I really enjoy that because I’m helping them achieve their lifetime goal,” Moayedi said.

Moayedi said her advice for first time runners is to focus on finishing while having fun.

Moayedi has her own running company, I Ran Marathons, which organizes races in San Antonio. Her 1,001st marathon will be held in the Alamo City on Dec. 31, and she encourages all to come out and join her.

For more information about Moayedi and how to sign up for her races, click here.


About the Author:

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.