Vegan Runner Joe Camilleri Completes the Abbott Majors at 76

Joe “Crazylegs” Camilleri has achieved the goal he’s been chasing for years: completing all six Abbott World Marathon Majors. The veteran vegan runner crossed his final finish line in Berlin, securing the coveted 6‑Star medal at the age of 76.

A Global Challenge Completed

By the start of 2024, Joe had already conquered four of the world’s biggest races — Boston, London, Chicago, and New York City. This year he added Tokyo and finally Berlin, completing the full set.

“This year I did Tokyo and capped off the challenge with Berlin,” he says. Remarkably, this came just months after undergoing knee surgery.

A Tough Race, Finished Through Determination

Joe’s Berlin time was 4:51:25, but the number barely tells the story.

“Ten days before the marathon I had to take a Synvisc gel injection as I couldn’t even complete a 4k run,” he explains. “Only sheer determination got me to the finish line.”

A Late Start, Extraordinary Results

Joe didn’t begin running until he was 67, when he entered the Vancouver Marathon — and stunned everyone by finishing in 3:30:45 and winning his age group.

Since then he has:

• Taken a podium at the Age Group World Championships
• Run a 3:25 marathon at age 72
• Built a reputation as one of the most resilient masters runners in North America

Powered by Plants

Joe has been fully vegan since 2017, switching just before his first marathon.

“Apart from the usual running injuries, and having knee surgery in 2025, my health benefited significantly with my plant‑based diet,” he says. “I promote a healthy lifestyle and diet with my friends and the running community.”

A Historic Achievement

With his Berlin finish, Joe becomes the oldest Maltese‑Canadian ever to earn the Abbott 6‑Star medal — a milestone that reflects not only endurance, but decades of commitment to health, compassion, and athletic excellence.

“I am 76, and the oldest Maltese/Canadian to ever get the 6 Star,” he says proudly.

Joe “Crazylegs” Camilleri’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to start — and that a vegan lifestyle can fuel extraordinary achievements at any age.