something new , and they ’ re very encouraging ,” she says of her new club , which also laid on a special 90th birthday run for her on her special day on 24 September , Heritage Day . |
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World Record Breaker
It has to be said that Deirdre has not become as well-known as she is in road running circles just by turning out at races and chatting with whoever lands up next to her . No , after only picking up the sport at the age of 78 , she discovered a long-hidden talent , so not only does she enjoy running , but she ’ s really good at it , too !
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At every race , younger runners ask to have their pic taken with Deirdre |
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Deirdre first rose to national prominence among the general public in 2017 , when television show Carte Blanche sponsored her trip to Geneva , Switzerland , where she broke the half marathon World Record in the 85-90 age group . Completing the 21km race in 2:05:13 , at the age of 86 , she became an overnight sensation , inspiring both runners and non-runners alike . However , while that performance was widely publicised , it was not her first World Record .
When she departed for Geneva , she already held two global marks over the 10km distance . In Durban in May 2013 , she clocked 54:17 , setting a world best in the 80-84 age division , and in Benoni in January 2017 , she ran 59:51 and became the first woman in the 85- 89 age group to dip under 60 minutes . It ’ s important to note the significance of these results : Deirdre is the only South African woman to hold a World Record in Masters ( 35 and older ) road running . Offering an indication of just how good that makes her , South Africa can only lay claim to one man to hold a Masters World Record , and that is all-time great and road running icon Titus Mamabolo … providing further evidence of just how successful Deirdre may have been if she had taken up the sport at a younger age .
Added to that , her list of records might be even more impressive if she always competed in her actual age group . With rules allowing athletes to participate in younger age divisions , Deirdre sometimes enters races in lower age groups that offer more in terms of prize money . It ’ s a risk she takes , as athletes must compete in their specific age division to qualify for a Masters record , and that came back to bite her a few years ago . At the SA 10km Championships in 2017 , Deirdre recovered from a fall at the start to better the
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World Record in the 85-90 age group . Despite her brave effort , however , her performance could not be considered for record purposes as she entered the 70-75 age group . “ I needed the money , and there was no prize money in my age group , so I had to enter a younger age division ,” Deirdre said at the time , before adding optimistically : “ It ’ s OK . I can try again for the record .”
Promoting Social Exercise
While her record-breaking results have raised her status in the sport , it ’ s not what drives Deirdre , and though she remains a regular feature on podiums at local races , she is not obsessed with times , nor any of her previous results . “ I don ’ t think too much about the past , I ’ m always thinking of where I ’ m going to run next ,” she says .
Asked if she has any more goals in the sport , she says enjoyment is her only real target , but she does stop for a moment to consider whether she ’ d like to race overseas again . “ Geneva was a wonderful experience . I cherish that memory , so yes , I suppose if someone was willing to send me overseas to run again , I ’ d like to do that .”
For now , Deirdre continues to run for both health reasons and for pleasure . It ’ s not all about running , of course , and she stays healthy by eating lots of vegetables and protein , while avoiding meat and sweets . She nonetheless urges others her age to consider taking up some form of exercise . “ You can start by walking . Any form of exercise can help , and you can walk at any speed . You don ’ t have to run ,” she says .
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“ Many people , after they turn 60 , retire and just sit in an armchair with their knitting , but it is very important for older people to keep exercising . I run for about an hour every day except Fridays and Mondays , when I have a rest . My club also has a club run every week and there is a different route every time , which makes it interesting .”
Motivating Other Runners
Her positive attitude and overwhelming personality have made Deirdre one of the most popular characters in South African athletics , and whatever the world of music lost when she retired as a professional pianist , the world of road running has since gained . Her upright posture is a reminder of her past , along with the pianos at the end of her living room , but Deirdre is no longer a musician . She ’ s now an athlete . It took her more than 70 years to find her passion for running , but her commitment to road running and the motivation she has offered others in recent years has made her a blessing to the sport .
Aside from her record-breaking achievements and her inspirational story , it is her personality which makes her so valuable in terms of promoting health and fitness . She insists , however , that her love of road running is a mutually beneficial relationship , and she gets as much out of the sport as she gives . “ I really enjoy my exercise , and when you ’ re finished running , it ’ s exhilarating . It really improves your mood ,” she says .
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When you first meet Deirdre , she ’ s not quite what you ’ d expect , and her cheeky sense of humour can make one wonder how such a colourful character sat behind a piano for as long as she did , letting her fingers do all the talking . Even Tadu Nare , who is one of the most promising road runners in the world , has been motivated by the 90-year-old star , which shows the depth of Deirdre ’ s reach . “ I had planned to stop running at 40 ,” said the young Ethiopian , “ but now I ’ ve seen what Deirdre can do , I ’ m not sure when I ’ ll stop .”
About the Author
Wes is a full-time sport journalist with The Citizen newspaper and has been covering all forms of running for 20 years . A former editor of the SA Athletics Annual , he is also an ultra-runner and has completed the Comrades Marathon four times , with a Comrades best of 7:53 and a marathon PB of 2:55 . In 2015 he was named Journalist of the Year at the Spirit of Comrades Awards for his coverage of the event . He has also covered the African Athletics Championships , the World Athletics Championships and the Olympic Games .
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Images : Reg Caldecott & courtesy Carte Blanche , Run Zone AC , Tuks Athletics |