Hariette Thompson completed the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon Sunday, becoming the oldest woman to complete a half marathon and the fastest 90- to 94-year-old woman to do so.
Thompson became the oldest to finish a marathon two years ago in San Diego, but she has undergone radiation for cancer since then and wasn’t even able to train until a few months ago for the half marathon. She finished easily, however, surrounded by some of her children and grandchildren as a buffer against all the media attention she has been getting for the accomplishment, The Washington Post reported.
"I’m just amazed people are making a big deal of this," she told Women’s Running.
She also commented to the Charlotte Observer that "for some reason I’m a celebrity around here."
Thompson is a two-time cancer survivor who has raised $100,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society since she’s been participating in races. She finished the half marathon in 3 hours, 42 minutes and 56 seconds, or about 17 minutes a mile, USA Today reported.
Thompson told the Charlotte Observer that she wanted to take a nap after completing the 13.1 miles. Although she wasn’t too tired after the half marathon, she said she thinks it was enough for her and that she wanted to "realize my limitations" and "be realistic" about what someone her age can do.
When she had a career, Thompson was a concert pianist who played at Carnegie Hall. She took up running at age 76, The Washington Post reported.
Twitter had no shortage of praise for this determined woman.
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