In 1991 Mike was aged 69. "I contracted a cancer which the Cleveland Clinic said would kill me in 3 months unless operated upon. I said no, I was going on a diet! The tumor had metastasized into my lymphatic system and would have required efforts to treat the metastases with radiation and/or chemotherapy (with questionable results in those earlier days). In 2 and a quarter years the tumor began to bleed, I was operated upon."

"The surgeon looked for metastasis in 35 places and found zero. In other words my Macrobiotic Diet, becoming a Vegan Diet, becoming a Whole-Foods Plant-Based Diet, killed the metastases! The results of the diet have been perfect and it has been since that diet that all my world records have come about as well as such distinction in the U.S."

"I eat a lot of whole grain bread, rice, oats, other cereals including corn, potatoes sweet and white but no grease. I also eat tofu, onions, greens including kale and chard, carrots, canned beans, fresh vegetables such as asparagus, peas, lentils, string beans, bok choy, mushrooms, oat, hemp and almond 'milk', oranges, grapefruit, berries when available, melons, grapes. Occasionally some form of Tofurky as part of a sandwich."

Still training: The retired engineer has reduced his mileage over the years but at 99 still runs three times every week.

"My route is 5 miles long, through a scenic park near Cincinnati with mixed surface, lots of hills," he says.

"The first mile is at my maximum speed, the other four under pressure to run fast. I resolved at age 98 to run 5 miles rather than 10, but to do it at speed."

"No meat, no dairy products, no toxins," Fremont explains of his diet. He eats primarily vegetables, fruit, whole grains and nuts, as well as soups of all kinds. He adds that he takes no supplements or medication, except for some Vitamin D in the winter. He stresses that in the 20 years he has been eating this way, he has not had a single cold or sickness of any kind. At 5-foot-4, he maintains 125 pounds, the same as his wrestling weight during his years at Yale University.

Fifth and fourth weeks before setting the American record in the half marathon at the Little Miami Half Marathon on Aug. 19, 2012

Sunday: 5 miles on trails
Monday: 3 miles canoeing, 400 push-ups
Tuesday: 8 miles on trails
Wednesday: 3 miles canoeing, 100 push-ups
Thursday: 10 miles on trails
Friday: 3 miles canoeing, 300 push-ups
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 15 miles on trails
Monday: 3 miles canoeing
Tuesday: 5 miles on trails
Wednesday: 3 miles canoeing
Thursday: 10 miles on trails
Friday: 3 miles canoeing, 305 push-ups
Saturday: 20 miles on trails