Levine Wins Peachtree Road Race 90+ Category

At 90 years young, Dr. Mike Levine is still on the run. He now adds another remarkable accomplishment to decades of accolades, as he enters his 90th year and a race that’s not for the faint of heart. Levine is admired and beloved by many who cheer him on to victory, and he adds another win to his achievements.

On July 4, Levine accomplished another goal. He placed first in his category at The Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta’s premier July 4 10K (6.2 mile) race in its 56th year. Achieving a first-place finish demanded hundreds of hours of dedicated training, a remarkable accomplishment made even more impressive by Atlanta’s classic heat and humidity on the holiday morning.

The Peachtree Road Race has established itself as the world’s largest 10K, typically attracting more than 60,000 participants. The course takes thousands of runners from Buckhead down Peachtree Road and finishes in Piedmont Park. The race is televised and attended by many of the finest runners worldwide.

Levine is surrounded by a large circle of friends, his devoted children, and former patients. He and his wife, Esther Levine — the celebrated grand dame of the MJCCA Jewish Book Festival — are community icons who share a passion for lifelong learning and a relentless can-do attitude. At 63 years of marriage, they are supportive of each other’s interests, passions, and non-stop volunteerism.

Reflecting on a lifetime of service, Levine shared, “I practiced pediatrics for 45 years, the first two years in the U.S. Air Force and the next 43 in Sandy Springs. During those years, I was privileged to care for three generations of patients and served as chairman of the medical staff at Scottish Rite Hospital [now Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta]. I retired at the age of 73 in 2008.”

At the age of 63, due to rotator cuff surgery on his “serving arm,” he had to give up tennis. He has also faced the common challenges of aging. He added, “Over the years, in addition to the shoulder surgery, I have had prostate cancer surgery, cardiac bypass and stents, and a total knee replacement.  I run about three to four Atlanta Track Club-sanctioned races a year now and usually win my age group. I no longer run non-stop but now do what is known as the Galloway method, which is a timed run of about two minutes followed by a 30-second walk, three to four miles, five days a week. I have run 20 Peachtree Road Races, only missing it if we are out of town on July 4.  I am a member of the Atlanta Track Club.”

When asked about the coveted T-shirt given to runners each year, he said, “I have stacks of race T-shirts and wear a few of my favorites, but the Peachtree shirts are prized and pristine in the closet.”

This year, of the five runners in the Peachtree Road Race in his category, Levine was the youngest. The second-place finisher was 91 and finished almost five minutes behind him, certainly worthy of praise as well.

When Levine crossed the threshold of 90 years, a group of 50 of the River Rats, the regular runners at the Chattahoochee River, recently honored him and another 90-year-old with an early morning birthday celebration at the river, replete with birthday cake, balloons, and specially designed T-shirts. His retirement days are filled with more than just running. He reflected, “In my retirement, I volunteer at the Breman Jewish Home, where I conduct a discussion group on current events for the residents. And yes, while running the Peachtree or any other race, someone invariably will come up to me and say, ‘Aren’t you Dr. Levine? You were my pediatrician or my children’s pediatrician.’”

Mike and Esther’s family weighs in on the lifelong inspiration Mike has provided as he reaches the milestone of 90. His son, Dr. Josh Levine, a world-renowned plastic surgeon in New York, said, “My dad has always been an inspiration and role model for me. He’s always been incredibly physically active and disciplined. I remember well all those words of encouragement from when he was a highly ranked tennis player in the State of Georgia. He would spend hours with me teaching me his disciplined techniques with repetition and patience, and I hear those words in my head as I now try to convert those ancient lessons into pickleball skills: racket back … bend your knees, hit it where they ain’t! And of course, the reason I considered becoming a doctor was to follow his awesome example.

“Dad was the consummate physician: academic, driven, dedicated to his craft and his patients, and above all, kind and caring. I’m still learning from him as he continues to push boundaries and succeed! Keep winning, Dad, and showing us all how to be winners!”

Daughter, Shira Levine, a marketing executive based in Melbourne, Australia, added, “Dad’s physical and mental advice has always been ‘keep moving.’ He’s living proof this philosophy works and has guided me my whole life.”

Mike Levine offered these insights for others, “I will continue to run as long as I am able and am training now for next year’s Peachtree. Every morning when I wake up, I am stiff and have aches and pains. Once I start running, after about a half mile, the aches disappear, and the pleasure of being out in nature overtakes me, and the rest of the day is a breeze. My philosophy is ‘no matter how you feel, if you keep moving, you will feel better.’”

It’s with awe that we say L’Chaim to Mike Levine. May the years ahead be paved with miles of good health and continued joy. Perhaps, a few fewer aches and pains, although we’re pulling for you as you continue to cross the finish lines of life, one careful step at a time.