An elite runner knows there are essential elements to strong performances, from good diet and rest habits to strength training and consistent road/track workouts.
All that mentioned, the most important ingredient might be the daily support of an exercise partner.
In the case of record-setter Dave Broadbent, he’s doubly blessed because his wife, Anabelle, is not only a diligent running sidekick but a doctor, a coach and a No. 1 supporter as well.
That’s probably the main reason why Dave is still setting records in the Bucks 5K Series at the age of 75.
He was quite an accomplished runner when the couple met back in 2004. But since then, he’s taken his fitness regimen to a new level.
The two avid runners, who reside in Perkasie, continue to explore ways to defy the clock and the calendar.
Is this collaboration a big part of the reason why Dave had been able to still run 5,000 meters in 22 minutes past the age of 70?
Or that he’s been fast enough to establish new age-group records in the 75-79 division in all seven of the 2025 Bucks 5K Series races?
“That’s huge, that’s it,” Dave said in a recent telephone interview. “Having her. We go to races all the time as a couple. It means a lot. I wouldn’t race nearly as much, I don’t think, if it wasn’t for her. She means a lot to me and going to races together is huge.”
And by races he means exactly 553 going all the way back to 1978 when he first began this lifelong trek.
The number is precise, we know, because he tracks every mile he runs on his running log and keeps track of every race in his scrapbooks.
Dave says consistency is a big part of his ability to race so much and stay healthy.
Think of it: In the past 48 years, the longest he’s taken off from running has been 11 days (twice) and that was for necessary hernia operations.
“I don’t get injured,” he agreed. “So that’s a big part. My diet is pretty good, I’m a vegetarian.”
Anabelle is an accomplished runner herself, holding several national records in her native Puerto Rico. And doing very well in American competition as well.
In addition to being the reigning 55-59 age-group champion in the Bucks 5K Series, she’s captured the USATF Mid-Atlantic Grand Prix title and the USATF gold medal in the 4×800 relay at the outdoor championships in Huntsville, Alabama.
Perhaps most impressively, she ran in 51 races in 2024 and plans to get close to that number in 2025. Those will include world regional championships in Mexico City in November. This will all be topped off by the World Masters Athletic Championships in Daegu, South Korea next year.
While she does provide counsel for her speedy mate, she stops short of calling it “advice” or coaching.
“We don’t see it as advice,” she said. “We see it as a conversation. We don’t do every workout together because of scheduling and speed differences. I don’t tell him what to do but I certainly provide some guidance.
“When we are on the track together, it’s heaven. At the end of the workout, we can talk about what went well, what we would change. Then we drive home together.”
On the flip side, Dave is Anabelle’s biggest fan and looks at dual workouts as helping her achieve her goals as well.
The Broadbents have constructed a gym in their home and also recently have joined a health club in Perkasie.
“The difference is amazing,” Anabelle said. “The speed of the 5Ks is coming back. To me, strength equals speed. That’s part of the secret of his longevity. It’s working on nutrition for muscles, bones.
“The running is the fun part of it. He does it for the pure joy of it. So I would say the internal motivation is part of the longevity.”
In his younger years, Broadbent was completing 13.1-mile half-marathons in under 1:30. He ran nine marathons but now his concentration is on middle distance racing.
“He’s a fierce competitor,” Anabelle said with a laugh. “You don’t want to be anywhere near him at the finish.”
In a recent race, Dave, who originally hails from Glenside, Pa., was running stride for stride with another runner who looked to be his age. The two went at it until the final couple hundred yards when David’s eyes grew wide, as usual, and he sprinted to the finish, this time just seconds ahead of his competitor.
Turns out the guy wasn’t in his age group after all. That was good for a laugh or two.
Overall fitness is part of the package.
“It’s all the little things that David does on a daily basis,” Anabelle said. “The stretching, the strength training, eating well, sleep, the stress management. It’s more of a holistic approach to running than most people I’ve seen.”
Adding to the winning formula are the relationships the Broadbents have formed within the Bucks County running community, the BCRR Club and the Lehigh Valley Road Runners. The Broadbents compete for the Greater Philadelphia Track Club.
Some believe the No. 1 predictor of longevity actually is human connections.
“David has built an amazing running community,” Anabelle said. “The connections and the friendships that we have built over the years. These are people who have become family. They’ve become an incredible part of our lives.”
Dave, a 1972 Penn State grad, was a cost accountant and business manager during his work years. Since retiring 11 years ago he’s been able to concentrate on his running and overall fitness.
He says he plans to keep on running into his 80s.
Why stop now when there’s so much fun left to be had?
>Race calendar
Saturday
Langhorne American Legion Veterans Day 5K, 9 a.m., Langhorne. Contact www.runsignup.com
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