As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we depend almost entirely on donations from people like you.
We really need your help to continue this work! Please consider making a donation.
Subscribe here and join over 13,000 subscribers to our free weekly newsletter

Harriette Thompson, Oldest Woman to Finish a Marathon, Dies at 94
Key Excerpts from Article on Website of Runners World


Runners World, October 16, 2017
Posted: September 11th, 2018
https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20862554/harriette-thomps...

Harriette Thompson, the irrepressible nonagenarian who in 2015 became the oldest woman to finish a marathon, died Monday in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was 94. A two-time cancer survivor, Thompson was a regular at the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon, running with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. She started running the marathon in San Diego in 1999, and ran the race every year through 2015, except for 2003, when she was undergoing treatment for cancer. She raised more than $115,000 for cancer research through her efforts. In 2015, at 92 years and 93 days, she finished the marathon in 7:24:36, breaking the record for oldest woman to run a marathon previously held by Gladys Burrill, who at 92 years and 19 days ran 9:53 at the Honolulu Marathon in 2010. Thompson was slowed by many admirers who sought pictures with her during races. Since Im so old, everybody wants to have their picture taken with me, Thompson told Runners World in 2015. Brenny says, Dont stop her, just take a selfie, rather than stop and take pictures all the time, because Id never get to the end. But its funny, all you need to do is get to be 90-something and you get lots of attention. In June, at age 94, Thompson completed the half marathon at San Diego in 3:42:56, also a record for oldest woman to complete the 13.1-mile distance. I never thought of myself as an athlete, but I feel like running is just something we all do naturally, Thompson said.

Note: Explore a collection of concise summaries of news articles on amazing seniors.


Top Inspiring News Articles


Top Inspiring News Articles from Years Past