Whoever thinks that over the years we become less competitive and only content to be good, is completely wrong. Especially if we are talking about running. and show it Réjeanne Fairhead, 96, who achieved the new world record for the master of the 5 km on the road last weekend for the age group between 95 and 99 (W95).

The record had belonged to Betty Lindberg since 2022, who achieved it during the Atlanta Peachtree Marathon by covering the distance in 55:48 at the age of 97. Now Réjeanne Fairhead has cut that by almost five minutes at the Ottawa Tamarack race to set to 51 minutes and 9 seconds. “It was very nice. I’m proud of what I did, but I’m also happy that it’s all over,” said the old woman in an interview with local media.

Unlike her opponent, Betty Lindberg, who had already set several records as a top athlete, Réjeanne Fairhead has never raced. “In my first 95 years of life, the only sport I played was bowling“. However, a little over a year ago, a friend asked him to run a 5k at that same event in Ottawa, and he finished in 58:52, setting the Canadian record for the men’s category. age and falling to just under three minutes the world record, so he gave it another chance.

For a year, he trained with a physiotherapist and trainer, run or walk three times a week and do muscle-strengthening exercises every other day. And finally, she returned to Ottawa accompanied by 20 children and grandchildren. One of them helped him throughout the race by warning him of bumps in the terrain, while another girl ran with a banner announcing her world record attempt.

“If next year he participates, I will do it just for fun. I will not be looking for a new record. The one I had to do, I have already done.” During the year she prepared it, she raised funds for the Perley Health Foundation, where she works as a volunteer, raising nearly $10,000 (9,343 euros).

“Designer by vocation. By Celtic daily life. Runner by passion”. Così likes to define it when one of them wants to laugh at his experience. Design winner at the Politecnico di Milano, he entered the family of Runner’s World and Men’s Health in 2012. Già Sports Director of the Wings For Life World Run, has collaborated with various realtà of the world podistico nell’organizzazione di manifestazioni podistiche sia italiane che internationalali President of the Associazione Sportiva Corro Ergo Sum Runners, è also istruttore Fidal.

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