The Peru Gazette

Sarah Graves photo.

Sarah Graves photo

Sarah Graves photo

By John T Ryan

Peru, April 8, 2026 – Though some people may not know him by name, almost everyone residing in or near the Peru hamlet is familiar with Art Graves. Graves has been running along Peru’s streets and roads for as long as most people can remember. A few years ago, a Jamaican apple picker shouted to Graves, “Hey, Mon, are you still running? I’ve been coming here for more than 20 years. You’re always out there.” Yes, Art has been “out there” through all kinds of weather since he and his wife, Sarah, moved here in 1971. 

Now, at age 85, Graves runs three miles or more at least three times a week. He tries to leave his Woodland Drive home between the morning school bus runs for a three-mile, one-hour run. What would motivate a man his age to do this? Graves explained, “I don’t need a lot of motivation. I like exercise. I played basketball and tennis every weekend. Once you get started, you don’t want to quit. You like it, and it makes you feel healthy.” Being healthy includes reducing stress. He said, “After running three, or five, or six miles, when you get back, you’re too tired to be stressed.” 

Accidental injuries not related to running, including a shattered ankle and a full knee replacement, didn’t stop Graves’ running routine for long. Some people, including this story’s author, noticed he had slowed down. Sarah Graves remarked. “Do you know how many people stopped Art along his route and asked, ‘Do you need a ride?'” 

Sarah also pointed to another important aspect of running. “We’re very much a family. Running is something you can do anywhere, anytime. When we went on vacation, Art could run. He would fit it in. Running is flexible enough, there aren’t any major expenses, and it’s not so time-consuming that it would take him away from the family.”  The Graves have two children, Art Jr. and Spencer, both of whom inherited their father’s love for physical activity. St. Lawrence University awarded Art Jr. a running scholarship, while Spencer played soccer and baseball, and is a physical education teacher at Northeastern Clinton Central. 

A Plattsburgh native, Graves played high school baseball at St. John’s Academy. “I was too short for basketball,” he recalls. His running began at Canisius College (Canisius University) in Buffalo, where he captained the cross-country team and ran middle distances during the indoor track season. 

Marathons were popular in the 1970’s when Art and Sarah moved to Peru. Art recalls, “I competed in the first Champlain Valley Marathon. I ran in Converse sneakers. The following year, I was smart enough to borrow running shoes.” Since then, he’s competed in about 25 marathons, as far away as Prince Edward Island, Ottawa, Canada, and Niagara Falls, NY.  Graves fondly recalls long-distance weekend runs with friends like Jerry Shpur, Dick Sabourin, Scott Woodward, and John Adams. He said, “We were known as Adirondack Harriers. 

May Art Graves continue to be “always out there” and an inspiration to us all. If you see him on June 4th, wish him Happy Birthday!