Deidre Larkin is an 85 year old woman that started her running career late in life but recently broke a world record!
Deirdre Larkin is a retired concert pianist and is teaching full time now. She was born missing a vertebrae and was diagnosed with Osteoporosis in 2009 at the age of 77. Refusing to let her body deteriorate she started distance running at the age of 78!
Since her running started in 2009 Deirdre has taken to the sport as if she had done it her whole life!
“Before I turned 78, the last time I ran was in college, and I was really bad,” she said, standing in her home in front of a wall of some 500 medals recognising her athletic feats. Stopping for selfies with children and to offer her fellow runners encouragement, Larkin has become a major draw at the races she runs.
“As people pass me, because most people pass me, they greet me and say ‘hello — I saw you on TV!’ Otherwise we don’t really talk for any length of time because you need your breath.”
To stay in shape, Larkin adheres to a strict regimen — no sugar, salt or coffee and a 5:00 am start every day for training. Last year alone she ran in 65 races, including several 21 kilometre (13 mile) half-marathons.
“There’s always an element of disbelief. I can’t believe I’ve done it. But my body tells me the next day I certainly did it,” she said. “My blood goes around my body much quicker, I don’t feel cold, I can feel all the muscles in my body — I never knew I’ve got so many muscles! I feel much more alive.”
In 2013 she broke her first record for woman over 70 years and most recently broke it again with an even better time. She originally beat the record set by Melitta Czerwenka of Germany by 2 and a half minutes.
Her success lead to a sponsorship from M-Net, MultiChoice, SuperSport and Carte Blanche. Which allowed her to travel to Switzerland to race internationally.
“We’re in the business of telling South African stories and supporting South African talent. In both respects, Deirdre Larkin has motivated people across the country with her astonishing energy and her incredible spirit. We felt that it was only fitting that, as a group of companies, we help her achieve her ambitions. Her success however is all and entirely her own.” – Yolisa Phahle, M-Net CEO
Deirdre ran the Geneva Marathon last week Monday, 8th May 2017, and broke her own record! She ran the race in 2:05:13, breaking her previous record of 2:12:37 for the 85+ World Half Marathon Record.
And despite preparing to turn 86 in September, Larkin has no intention of slowing down. “I can imagine a life without running but it’s a kind of slow death,” she said. “I’m going to run as long as I can — even if I only have one leg, I’ll manage.”
She is an inspiration to everyone, showing that age is just a number and to live life to it’s fullest.
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