Elderly individual sets new record at Parkrun event, completing the 250th run at the age of 97
Grace Chambers, Europe's Oldest Parkrunner, Celebrates 250th Run
Grace Chambers, a 97-year-old woman from Belfast, has made history as Europe's oldest Parkrunner, having completed her 250th Parkrun. This remarkable achievement came just weeks after she underwent heart valve replacement surgery [1][2].
Chambers began her Parkrun journey in 2016, at the age of 88, following her recovery from previous major surgery. Encouraged by her rehabilitation team, she quickly became a regular participant at Ormeau Park in Belfast. Her story is not just about breaking records, but also about bringing people from different communities together [3].
Four weeks prior to reaching her milestone, Chambers underwent keyhole heart valve replacement surgery performed by Dr. Jonny Mailey at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital. Remarkably, she only missed one Parkrun during her recovery and then returned to complete her 250th run [1]. Chambers humorously told her surgeon she intended to "test out his work" by getting back to running quickly.
The achievement has been commemorated with a bench installed in Ormeau Park [1]. Chambers' story is inspiring, demonstrating resilience and commitment to physical activity well into her late 90s, serving as a motivating example of healthy aging and recovery after surgery.
Chambers is assisted by her friends Cathy and Sue for her weekly Parkruns. She enjoys the social aspect of Parkrun, meeting people from all over Northern Ireland [4]. Chambers has smashed numerous records for runners in her age category and has no plans to quit her Parkrunner journey [5].
Chambers' daughters encouraged her to participate in her first parkrun in 2016. Since then, she has become the talk of the town due to her Parkrunner achievements, embodying courage and determination [6]. Despite a setback one week before her 250th run, she overcame it to break the record [7].
Chambers' Parkrunner journey began on the suggestion of a staff member on her rehabilitation team [8]. Her journey is a testament to the power of encouragement and the benefits of physical activity, particularly for the elderly. Chambers believes that her Parkruns during the Covid-19 pandemic do not count [9], but her impact on the community and the inspiration she has provided to many is undeniable.
- Grace Chambers, a woman from Belfast who recently turned 97, has become a world-renowned figure in health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, as she is Europe's oldest Parkrunner, having completed her 250th Parkrun.
- Explaining her journey, Chambers revealed that she was encouraged by her rehabilitation team to join Parkrun after major surgeries, and this has led her to who knows how many people in Northern Ireland through regular meetings at Ormeau Park.
- Chambers' incredible resilience in overcoming health challenges and returning to Parkrun just four weeks after heart valve replacement surgery shows her commitment to aging gracefully and encouraging science to push the limits of what is possible in health and sports.
- It's clear that Chambers' story is not just about breaking records; it's about promoting a healthy lifestyle, inspiring others, and embodying pti – persistence, tenacity, and inspiration – in sports and life.
