At the age of 103, Julia Hawkins fell just short of the record-setting 100-meter dash she ran nearly two years ago, but she is still plenty deserving of her nickname the “Hurricane.”
Hawkins won gold at the 2019 Senior Games in Albuquerque, Mexico. Her events were the 50 and 100-meter dash. She competed in a division for women ages 100 or over.
Hawkins set a world record in the 100-meter dash during the 2017 Senior Games.
“I’m thrilled I did as well as I did but I didn’t do as well as I have done,” Hawkins said in an interview with Good Morning America. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m older, or maybe it was the atmosphere.”
Hawkins picked up running at age 100 after competitive cycling became too tolling on her body. She won several national titles as a cyclist before transitioning to sprints.
According to the Senior Games, Hawkins is the oldest woman to ever compete on an American track.
“I just keep busy. I keep moving,” Hawkins said about exercising at her age. “I don’t do any exercises particularly. I used to, but I don’t think I need to anymore.”
“I’ve always been careful how I eat, eat healthy and keep my weight at a certain point,” she added.
Hawkins would love to race again, but she’s taking life as it comes.
“When you’re 103, every day is a miracle,” she said. “I just keep getting up and I’m here again.”
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