Harriette Thompson
just set a world record for the fastest marathon ever by a woman 90 years or
older. She’s 91, and made her mark at the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon. She
also became the second oldest marathon finisher in U.S. history. She logged
those 26.2 miles in 7 hours, 7 minutes and
42 seconds, most of it in the baking
sun.
It’s
not as if Harriette is free of health issues. She had cancer of the
palate and significant surgery to remove part of her jawbone and most of her
upper teeth. Subsequently, she has been battling skin cancer. She
had undergone 9 radiation treatments in 11 days, ending those just about four
weeks before the marathon. She covered the wounds from those treatments
with white tights and bandages.
Harriette
runs for a cause, with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
(LLS), raising money for research to overcome blood diseases and
other cancers. She’s raised over $90,000 for them since she began running
marathons at the tender age of 76. Her recent record setter was her 15th
marathon.
When
interviewed, she said she felt “wonderful”, and “I feel relieved. But I’m
interested in getting into a cold shower and falling into bed for a while.”
As
for support, she said her 55 year old son, Brennneman, ran beside her and
helped all the way. “Anytime I needed anything, he was there for me”, said
Harriette. Her son provided water, vaseline, and nourishment during the
day-long ordeal.
It’s
hard to imagine anyone doing this at her age, much less fighting cancer at the
same time.
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