It’s pretty amazing that a 92-year-old could complete a 26.2 mile marathon. It’s even more amazing that’s she did it after beating cancer—twice!
Harriet Thompson a resident of Charlotte, N.C., crossed the finish line at the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon on Sunday in an unofficial finishing time of 7:24:36, making her the oldest woman ever to complete a full marathon.
The long distance phenomenon didn’t start running until she was 76, but she has made up for her late start by running in one every year ever since, reported Time.
Thompson isn’t just running these marathons to brag about her personal records, she’s raised more than $100,000 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society over 16 years.
Cancer has played a significant role in Thompson’s life. She lost her husband when he was 67, and she still suffers from painful wounds on her legs incurred from squamous cell carcinoma treatment.
Her son Brenny told Runners World that Thompson has became a bit of a celebrity at these races. Recently, Thompson got a chance to meet Meb Keflezighi, the New York and Boston marathon winner and was honored by race officials by allowing her to start the race with the elite runners.
“Since I’m so old, everybody wants to have their picture taken with me,” Thompson quipped.