Marathon Instructor Susie Chan’s Journey to Completing All World Majors

Renowned Peloton running instructor Susie Chan is about to achieve what few runners ever do – completing all seven World Marathon Majors. At 50 years old, Chan is heading to Australia for the Sydney Marathon, which recently joined the prestigious circuit as the seventh major. Her journey to becoming a celebrated running coach began in the most unexpected way: a reluctant half marathon at age 35 that transformed not just her fitness but her entire life trajectory. As she prepares for this milestone race, Chan continues to inspire thousands of runners around the world with her authentic approach and belief that age is no barrier to physical achievement.

Fifteen years ago, Chan was a single mother working a job she enjoyed but that barely paid the bills. She described feeling somewhat directionless when her younger brother convinced her to run a half marathon with him. “I genuinely didn’t know how far that was or what it entailed, but he was very persuasive,” Chan recalled. “I thought maybe I could do with getting a bit fitter. I was 35, and I thought I better start now.” Despite training for the event, when race day arrived, Chan initially refused to participate. Only through her brother’s persistent encouragement did she finally make it to the starting line, arriving just five minutes before the race began. Though it wasn’t her fastest performance, Chan completed the 21km distance and was surprised to discover it wasn’t nearly as terrible as she had anticipated. That single experience awakened something in her – a sense that she could push herself further than she ever imagined.

The supportive running community and the personal satisfaction Chan experienced from that first half marathon sparked a passion that completely redirected her life. Being naturally positive, she began documenting her running adventures on social media, gradually taking on greater challenges including ultra-marathons. Her authentic enthusiasm and relatable approach to running caught the attention of fitness giant Peloton, who reached out directly in 2021. “It said, ‘We like you. Do you want to test out to be a new instructor?'” Chan remembered. “I asked if they knew how old I was, because somewhere in my mind I thought it was a young 20-somethings game, and they said ‘We do, we love you and we want someone who is authentic and loves running’.” After a series of auditions, she secured the role, finding immense joy in helping others discover their own potential. “When I started at Peloton I realized there were so many different fitness abilities. It made me remember my own running journey,” she reflected, noting how meaningful it is when users share that they’ve completed their first mile with her or been inspired to attempt a marathon.

Chan firmly dismisses the notion that age should limit anyone’s fitness aspirations, calling such thinking “codswallop.” Her own experience starting at 35 with virtually no confidence serves as powerful evidence against such limitations. “Age is not a barrier. I know this from some of my friends who have started running a bit later on,” she emphasized. “Some of my friends now – who are in their 50s, 60s and 70s – still do extraordinary things. It’s no barrier. You don’t have to run a marathon. You can go for a brisk walk and try a 10-second run.” She encourages newcomers to begin with small, manageable steps rather than comparing themselves to others or setting unrealistic goals. This philosophy of inclusivity and gradual progress has made her a beloved figure among Peloton users of all ages and abilities.

Chan’s running journey hasn’t been without significant challenges. In 2017, after completing her sixth World Marathon Major in Chicago, she collapsed at the finish line. Though she initially attributed her vague symptoms to fatigue or overtraining, a friend insisted she seek medical attention. Doctors discovered “a huge lump” in her neck, diagnosing her with thyroid cancer. “It was a shock. I was doing all these big races, like multi-stage ultras. I didn’t think I was invincible, but it was the last thing on my mind,” Chan said. Fortunately, her cancer was treatable, and after several operations, she wasted no time returning to running – completing a half marathon just two weeks after treatment. She soon tackled the grueling Marathon des Sables, using running as a way to rebuild trust in her body after such a profound health scare.

Throughout her remarkable career, Chan has accumulated impressive achievements including breaking the 12-hour treadmill World Record, completing the Marathon des Sables four times, and now, running all seven World Marathon Majors. As she approaches the Sydney Marathon, Chan maintains her focus on enjoyment rather than time goals, particularly as she navigates the physical changes of perimenopause. After each marathon, she indulges in her post-race tradition: a salty pizza topped with anchovies, olives and pineapple, alongside fries and a beer. Unlike some runners, Chan avoids superstitions like lucky socks, maintaining that “it’s not them that runs the race, it’s you.” This practical, down-to-earth approach defines both her personal running philosophy and the authentic coaching style that has earned her a devoted following around the world, proving that with determination and positivity, life-changing achievements are possible at any age.