92-YEAR-OLD BECOMES OLDEST MARATHON FINISHER
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Most people find the idea of running a marathon daunting at any stage of their life, let alone in their twilight years. Not Gladys Burrill. This 92-year-old American woman was honoured by the Hawaiian State of Representatives on Monday for officially being the oldest woman to complete a marathon.
On December 12th, 2010, Gladys finished the 42.195km Honolulu marathon in 9 hours and 53 minutes. This was not her first marathon attempt, however what makes her achievement even more impressive is the fact that she didn’t run her first marathon until she was 86 years old.
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Being born in the last year of the First World War, this Oregon native has lead an inspirational life. She trained and worked as a pilot, has been a mountain climber and also a desert trekker.
She has a particularly positive outlook on life.
“It’s so important to think positive. It’s easy to get discouraged and be negative. It makes such a difference how you feel and your outlook on everything,” she said.
The Guinness Book of World Records has recognised her achievement, ousting the previous record holder, Jenny Wood-Allen, who held the record at 90 years of age.
She has this advice for other runners:
“Just get out there and walk or run. I like walking because you can stop and smell the roses, but it’s a rarity that I stop.”
