Parkrun record to be broken by 97-year-old Belfast runner

Meet the 97 -year -old woman who is ready to break the record of a park when it is the oldest person in Europe to complete Parkrun.

Grace Chambers will be cheered along the 5K route in Omeau Park in South Belfast on the way to the remarkable record -breaking feat.

Not only to complete the race is not Grace’s targeting – hoping for a good racing time.

He just started running at the age of 88 after he had an open heart surgery, but he said he had no stopping plan after reaching Big 250.

For many people, a 88 -year -old child is serious, not to get rid of invasive surgery, not at the top of the list of to -do.

However, Grace’s journey to Parkrun began when a staff in the rehabilitation team volunteered in Ormeau Parkrun could enjoy coming.

With a little courage of one of his daughters, Grace went to make his first park in 2016 and said that the event was a speech.

“Everyone continued: ‘This woman in their 80s came out thinking that she could make a park.’ I certainly showed them, “he said, laughing.

Grace became organized at the community event and broke many records for runners in the age category in the first year.

“I just love, all the people you’ve met, just wonderful – people from all over Northern Ireland are coming from all over, and there would be no people from all the communities involved in Parkrun and growing up in Parkrun.” He said.

Expressing the love of mountain walking and golf, the former teacher said that even the suspension of Parkruns in 2020 due to Covid pandemia slowed him down.

He said, “I just went down and still did it myself.”

Grace recorded all his time and took his daughter to send them all to Parkrun.

“I probably made more than 250 parks, but what’s not counting during Covid,” he added.

Even a broken leg did not suffer while walking during his pandemi, he stopped him when he returned to the parks after he recovered.

Now he helped the course by his two friends Cathy and Sue.

“I wouldn’t be here without them, they take me to run every week and they return with me.”

Grace now has a bench on the end line with a plaque that says “Grace’s counter, Park Runner extraordinary”.

In a typical week, you will see that after taking a photo with fans, you will sit on Grace.

Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, who ran next to him, came to visit Grace for years.

“Kelly wanted to talk on the way to the course, so I had to say, come on, Kelly, you’re holding me back.”

Grace’s preparations for the 250th Run took a look when a stent was attached four weeks ago, but he missed only a week during his recovery.

“I said I would test the surgeon’s work, I have a new valve, why not use it,” he said.

Deirdre McConvey, one of the volunteer running directors in Ormeau Parkrun, said Grace is a “local legend”.

“We have come especially to meet the visitors to meet him, no one smiled wider than Grace.

“His warmth and sincerity loved him, especially on his birthday, to all the norms that love to cheer on the end line.

“Certain and stability is absolutely inspiring and sometimes quite humble.”

Belfast South Deputy Claire Hanna will cheer a regular Parkrunner and Grace.

“Congratulations for the unique grace,” he said.

“Too much inspiration.”

But Grace doesn’t really understand the fuss on the park’s record.

“So what!” he said.

“Many people do much more remarkable things than that, but it’s great if it inspires some people to start running.

“I hope I have a good time watching me on Saturday.”