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An endearing story of 92-year-old Harriette Thompson, cancer survivor, is keeping our headlines as she became the winner of the Rock’n’Roll Marathon in San Diego.
Harriette Thompson is a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her life achievements are many, but her latest addition is sparking waves of enthusiasm to her perseverance and determination. With winning the 2015 San Diego Rock’n’Roll marathon in 7 hours, 24 minutes and 36 seconds, she set an example to follow. And a record to break.
The previous holder of the record was Mrs. Gladys Burrill, also 92 when she successfully completed the marathon in Honolulu back in 2010. Though race, right?
Harriette Thompson was overwhelmed by the hurrays coming from the crowd when she plunged first across the finish line. And told the press that she was pampered.
She was probably the most surprised that she was the first to cross the finish line as she told the press she had troubles training properly for the marathon.
Her husband’s lurking disease put an end to his life in January. At the time, the most important thing for Harriette was to look after her life partner. Following, she had health issues of her own.
A staph infection to one of her legs prompted her to go for medical treatment and cease training that she regularly used to undergo before.
“I was just really thrilled that I could finish today.”,
Mrs. Thompson declared.
Harriette is a schooled pianist as well. In the days, she filled the hall at Carnegie Hall three times. Now, she plays the versed piano pieces in her mind when she is training or running the marathon.
And no, she did not start at an early age. It was only in her 70s when church members from the congregation where she attends as well asked Harriette Thompson to sponsor a marathon organized for lymphoma and leukemia research funding.
Since Harriette had known the pain of losing loved ones to cancer, she accepted the proposal. She has ever since participated in 16 San Diego Rock’n’Roll marathons and others. And she strongly believes that it is running that keeps her alive.
Regardless, she plans to stop participating in marathon competitions and simply run as training for as long as she can keep doing so.
For cancer research she already raised 100,000 dollars. Which she enjoyed, and it brought her peace of mind to know that due to her small effort other will have higher hopes than her own loved ones who battled the disease.
Image Source: Zimbio
