Running Sunday’s 26.2-mile NYC Marathon is practically sleepwalking to this 87-year-old Queens man.
“I’m an insomniac, so honestly, I don’t sleep the last three days before the marathon,” said Danil Farkash, the oldest New Yorker in this year’s race.
The Ukrainian native, who has lived in Forest Hills since 1979, said his lack of shuteye doesn’t slow him down.
“I run better when I don’t sleep,” he said.
“I’m a paradox.”
Farkash is the second oldest runner in Sunday’s five-borough race, behind New Zealander Garth Barfoot — by two days.
A retired dentist, Farkash has run every year since 2009.
The first year, at age 73, he completed the race in 5:30:02. His best time came the next year, at 5:26:31.
Nowadays he hopes to finish in less than 10 and half hours.
The spry senior no longer runs but walks the race.
His exercise regimen includes one long walk once a week and short ones three to four times per week, with five half marathons per year.
He was inspired to join the iconic race after his daughter, Irina, ran the marathon in 2008.
“I trained by myself,” he explained of his prep for his first marathon.
“My training runs are exclusively in New York City streets. That keeps me motivated.”
His original training regimen took him from the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge to Brighton Beach.
“I call it Brr-Brr-Brr,” he said of his “Brooklyn Bridge Brighton” route.
Once that path became too short for him, he began running from his home in Queens to Brighton Beach — which could take him 9 hours one way.
“Then he would get a slice of pizza, stop by the boardwalk, and take the F-train back home,” Irina said.
When asked about the secret to his success, Irina said, “What kept him healthy is that he keeps moving. He is someone that doesn’t feel or look his age.”
As for nutrition, Farkash keeps it simple.
“I eat a balanced diet and have an occasional beer at family events,” he said.
“He does eat a lot of veggies,” Irina added.
Before the marathon, Farkash will load up on pasta, and he’ll stash a peanut butter sandwich in his pocket during the race.
He used to celebrate his finishes with a family dinner at a restaurant.
Now, he said, “We take a taxi home.”
