After running for more than 20 years, including 19 New York City Marathons, 74-year-old Rodrigo Villavicencio is convinced running has not only made him healthier, but has also made him feel younger.

"I enjoy every time when when I'm running. Feeling in my body, so good," Villavicencio said.

Running may have also saved his life. In 2020, he was hospitalized with COVID-19. Doctors told Villavicencio his strong lungs from years of running helped him recover. He was released after two weeks in the hospital.

"All the doctor check on me every day, and I feel better, if you believe me. All the doctor say my body is very, very good, because I'm not smoking, and all the exercise I do all my life," Villavicencio said.

Villavicencio is now running in his 20th TCS New York City Marathon — a milestone he will experience with his son, James Villavicencio. James is running his ninth marathon.

"After spending COVID with him and seeing how close he was to death, really became very inspiring to me, and I couldn't miss the opportunity to continue running with him," James said.

James has run most of his marathons with his father. Joining them this year for his first marathon is James' son — Rodrigo's grandson — Justin Villavicencio. After years of watching the marathon from the sidelines, this year, his schedule finally allowed him to join his father and grandfather.

"He's always been that guy that's always seemed younger than his age, which I love about him, and so to be able to get onto the course with him and be able to, at such a far age from mine, is such a dream come true for our family," Justin said.

Running is now a bond three generations of their family share together — a bond they say running has actually made stronger.

"We talk about what's going on, our struggles, our daily struggles, the good, the bad, the ugly. And my dad imparts some wisdom on us. I try to impart some wisdom on my son. My son tries to tell us how things are done nowadays," James said.

Justin now hopes to convince his siblings to start running to help keep the tradition going.

"It feels physically rewarding, mentally rewarding, emotionally rewarding. And I can't imagine stopping post-marathon, so I'm going to continue running, and hopefully more marathons to come in the future," Justin said.

For now, his grandfather shows no signs of passing the torch.

"I wanna try [to] do number 21," Rodrigo said. "I want to start more and more, because I feel better."