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Harriette Thompson92-year-old American woman who became the oldest runner to complete the marathon
Country:
 USA |
Harriett Thompson: The Oldest Female Marathon Runner
Overcoming Cancer and Setting a Record
Harriett Thompson, a 92-year-old American woman, has become the oldest female runner to complete a marathon. She achieved this remarkable feat after battling and defeating oral cancer. Harriett Thompson, who hails from Charlotte, North Carolina, finished the 'Rock 'n' Roll' marathon in San Diego with a time of 7 hours, 24 minutes, and 36 seconds. As she crossed the finish line, she was greeted with warm applause and cheers from the crowd. Despite the challenges she faced, this was her sixteenth 'Rock 'n' Roll' marathon.
A Year of Trials and Loss
Harriett Thompson described this marathon as the most difficult one she has ever participated in. She explained that the year leading up to the race was particularly tough as she had to cope with the illness and eventual loss of her husband. Additionally, she had to undergo treatment for a staph infection that affected one of her legs. Due to these circumstances, she had limited training opportunities. However, she managed to overcome these obstacles and finish the race.
Breaking a Record
Previously, the oldest woman to complete a marathon was Gladys Burrill, who achieved this feat at the age of 92 years and 19 days during the Honolulu Marathon in 2010. Harriett Thompson broke this record at the age of 92 years and 65 days. Despite the difficulties she faced in training, Thompson nearly matched her previous year's marathon time of 7 hours, 7 minutes, and 42 seconds.
A Life of Music and Running
Harriett Thompson, a classically trained pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall three times, credits her ability to mentally play old piano pieces as a source of motivation during the marathon. She stated that this unusual practice helped her conquer the 26.2-mile distance. Thompson began participating in marathons when she was in her seventies. It all started when a church member approached her and offered to sponsor her in a marathon, with the funds raised going towards leukemia and lymphoma research. Motivated by the loss of loved ones to cancer, Thompson decided to give it a try. Initially, she planned to walk the entire distance, but when she saw other runners, she joined them and began running.
Continuing to Inspire
Every year, Harriett Thompson faces doubts about her ability to participate in the marathon once again. However, these doubts have not stopped her from successfully finishing each race. She believes that the sense of accomplishment from participating in fundraisers for cancer research and her passion for running have contributed to her overall health. Thompson stated, "I don't think I would be alive today if I hadn't been running. I help cancer patients, and they, in a way, help me." Her story continues to inspire people of all ages to pursue their dreams and push their limits, showing that age should never be a barrier to achieving greatness.
