At the Louisiana Senior Games on Sunday, November 7 2021, Julia Hawkins set a new world record. Hawkins, nicknamed ‘Hurricane’, ran the 100m race in 1:02:95 in the women’s 105+ age category.
“This is just a drop in the bucket”: At 105 years old, Julia Hawkins became the first woman and first American in her age group to run 100 meters.
But she says it doesn’t compare to the many wonderful things in her life, like her 70-year-long marriage to her husband, Murray. pic.twitter.com/Z18rWKEm5Y
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) November 9, 2021
Hawkins’ family and friends watched from the sidelines as she set the new record on Sunday. She explains it was “was wonderful to see so many family members and friends”, as well as the support from everyone in the crowd as she made it through the finish line. But Hawkins felt that she could have done better during the competition. She reflects that she wanted to finish the race in “less than a minute”.
After retiring as a teacher, Hawkins began cycling at the age of 80. She started competing at the National Senior Games with a speciality in cycling, and has been winning several gold medals ever since. She moved on from cycling after a while, reasoning that “there wasn’t anyone left [her] age to compete with”.
Hawkins’ plans to “keep running as long as I can”. Her current routine includes walking or jogging around a mile a day. She adds, “I love to run, and I love being an inspiration to others”.
Her message to others across the world hearing her story is to “stay active if you want to be healthy and happy as you age.”