🏃♀️💨 Zoomin’ Nonagenarian: 96-Year-Old Ottawa Dame Shatters 5K Record Like a Boss 🥇
TL;DR;
Rejeanne Fairhead, a rockin’ 96-year-old from Ottawa, tore up the race track at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, smashing the world record for a 5K race in the 95-99 women’s age bracket. Going from horseshoes to high-speed, Fairhead’s journey to the finish line is anything but ordinary, showcasing that age is merely a number. 🤯👵🚀
🎉Here Comes the Fairhead Express 🚂
On a sunny Saturday, with the mercury hitting 28 degrees Celsius, thousands of racers found themselves competing with an unlikely challenger at Ottawa’s city hall. At the sound of the gun, Rejeanne Fairhead, a 96-year-old dynamo, burst into action, her mind set on a new world record. 🚀 And guess what? She did it in a cool 51 minutes and nine seconds. Age ain’t nothing but a number, right? 😎
How did it feel? “It felt very good,” she expressed. You might wonder if she’s always been a running enthusiast. Surprisingly, no! Fairhead was more of a bowling and horseshoe enthusiast for the better part of her 95 years. But life had other plans. 🎳🐴👟
🏁A Friend, A Challenge, and the Rest Is History 🏅
One day, a friend at the Perley Rideau Seniors’ Village suggested Fairhead try out the 5K race at Ottawa’s annual marathon weekend. She accepted, walking the race in 58 minutes and 52 seconds, setting a Canadian record in her age category. But the thrill of competition got to her, and she realized she was only about three minutes shy of the world record. 🌍🏆
What did she do? She trained, of course! Under the tutelage of physiotherapist and running coach Richelle Weeks, she embarked on a new athletic journey, which included walking three times a week and doing basic strength exercises at home. 👵🏋️♀️💪
🔥 Breaking Records Like Breaking Glass Ceilings 🏃♀️💨
Come the day of the race, Fairhead, escorted by her family and coach like the VIP she is, took off on the course that looped around the Parliament Buildings and the famed Rideau Canal. Only a kilometer in, and she was already confident about smashing the record. Can you believe that? 🏛️🏞️🔥
And she did. Beating not only the record but 627 other racers from all age groups. She even survived the blistering heat with a sports drink and a quick water-dousing on her back midway. Talk about dedication! 💦🌞
💝An Inspiration, But Ready for a Chill Pill? 💊
Fairhead’s been an inspiration to many, including her six children, twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She’s a firm believer in not letting age define one’s abilities. Her mantra: “Age is just a number. If you feel good, do something.” 🙌
However, she’s ready to slow down a bit. “If I do walk next year it will just be for fun,” she revealed. But hey, once a champ, always a champ, right? 🏅💕
Disclaimer: This article is not a recommendation to start training
