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What if we told you that a 101-year-old would give you a tough fight in running and not only would she win, but still be as energetic as she was before? Surprised?
Meet Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins, who at 101, became the oldest female athlete to ever compete in the USA Track and Field Outdoors Masters Championships — held on Saturday, July 15. The sprinter took up the challenge of running the 100 metres and touched the finishing line in 40.12 seconds.
The oldest (101 y/o Julia Hawkins) and youngest (31 y/o Walter Dix) competitors at USATF Masters Championship at #LSU pic.twitter.com/syQN5a3FsN
— Mike Gegenheimer (@Mike_Gegs) July 15, 2017
“I missed my nap for this,” she said on Saturday at the event at Louisiana State University, The Washington Post reported.
With this record, she has now surpassed the current certified world record for women aged 100 or older by shaving off more than six seconds.
101-year-old #LSU alum Julia Hawkins isn't letting age slow her down. She's racing Saturday @usatf Masters Outdoors at Bernie Moore Stadium. pic.twitter.com/Kd2Jyo0KhR
— LSU (@lsu) July 14, 2017
Julia Hawkins, who has been tagged “Hurricane” after her marvellous win, was born in Wisconsin in 1916. Yes, you got that right! She has seen World War I and lived to tell the tale.
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The unstoppable runner has many accolades to her name. Her personal best was in this month’s National Senior Games’ podium, held in Birmingham, Alabama, where Hawkins won in 39.62 seconds. She will be certified the official world-record holder in December.
Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins just started running track last year.
A natural talent, Hawkins is also known as a bicyclist. Since last year, she started training for track and field. “I’m always outside and the phone always rings, and I come running in is how I knew I could run,” she told The Post.
Hawkins believes in “the feeling of being independent”. She is an inspiration for her four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
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“Having a momma that can do this pleases them, and it pleases me to please them,” the former schoolteacher said.
An avid gardener, Hawkins works out every day along with running and cycling.
When asked about the feeling after completing her race, she told The Advocate, “This time I wasn’t feeling like I was going that fast.”
101 y/o Julia Hawkins just ran 40.12 in the 100m at #USATFMastersTrack
Great going, Champ!
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Feature Image Credit: Louisiana State University
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