World’s longest running streak ends after 20,309 days
Jon Sutherland of Washington, Utah, ran every day for 55 years, seven months and six days

After 20,309 days and more than 320,000 kilometres, the world’s longest daily-running streak has come to an end.
According to a Streak Runners International Facebook post, Jon Sutherland, a 74-year-old writer and run coach from Washington, Utah, has reached a point where he is unable to run.

Sutherland began his streak at age 19 on May 29, 1969, and continued to run, regardless of the weather, injury or any other obstacle, until New Year’s Eve 2024. In 2022, Sutherland surpassed marathon legend Ron Hill to hold the title of the longest-running streak in history. Now, Sutherland’s 55 years, seven months and six days stands as the longest retired running streak globally.
In an email to Streak Runners International (SRI) and the United States Running Streak Association (USRSA), Sutherland wrote: “I started running on January 1, 1968, and I started my streak on May 29, 1969. My last run was on December 31, 2024. I ran 625 miles in 2024. My lifetime mileage is 202,420. I have so much respect for everybody involved with USRSA, and I ran as much as I could. I have seen several doctors about my issue. When I try to get up and run, I’m winded quickly. None of the doctors could tell me what was the cause.”
Despite the streak ending, Sutherland remains connected to the running community by coaching local high school cross-country programs in his home state of Utah.
“Not many people can say they’ve run with Steve Prefontaine and have been dog-piled by Metallica,” said Sutherland in a 2017 YouTube interview.
Although Sutherland took his streak to a length no man or woman has reached before, his competition follows closely behind. The current number-one among active streak runners is Jim Pearson, an 80-year-old retired college cross-country and track coach from Marysville, Wash. Pearson began his running streak on February 16, 1970 and has been running every day for 54 years and 11 months, sitting only 255 days behind Sutherland.