14 DAY TRIAL // This past Sunday, Harriette Thompson from Charlotte, North Carolina, set a new world record when she completed the Rock'n'Roll Marathon in San Diego, California.
The woman is 92 years old and a cancer survivor. Even so, she managed to complete the race in 7 hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds. Check out the video below to see her crossing the finish line.
The previous record was held by another fit lady by the name of Gladys Burrill, a.k.a. the Gladyator, who, back in 2010, completed the Honolulu Marathon in 9 hours, 53 minutes and 16 seconds.
Gladys Burrill was 92 years and 19 days old when she ran the Honolulu Marathon. On the day that she completed the Rock'n'Roll Marathon, Harriette Thompson was precisely 92 years and 65 days old.
This means that she is now the oldest person ever to take part in such a race and make it to the finish line. The feat is all the more impressive seeing how Harriette Thompson is a cancer survivor.
Besides, the woman admits that she wasn't always such a big fan of sports. Au contraire, she only started running marathons in her 70s. She has since completed 16 such races.
The woman races to raise funds for cancer research
92-year-old Harriette Thompson signed up for Sunday's Rock'nRoll Marathon in San Diego not for fame and glory. She did it to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, NPR tells us.
This voluntary health organization, founded in 1949, is devoted to promoting and funding blood cancer research, education and patient services.
As mentioned, Harriette Thompson is a cancer survivor. Besides, she has lost her husband and a few other family members to this disease, hence her dedication to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
The woman, a pianist, says that, when competing in a marathon, she likes to play Chopin in her head. This helps her stay focused and keep a steady pace.
“I usually think of Chopin etudes, the ones that are technically difficult, because usually they're pretty fast, and it stimulates me to go a little faster, and also helps pass the time,” she said in a statement.
