Ninety-six-year-old Rejeanne Fairhead has achieved an extraordinary goal to prove that age is just a number.
He recently completed a 5K race at the Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, finishing with a time of 51 minutes, 9 seconds, and 1 millisecond. The feat made her the world record holder in the 95-99 age category, beating the previous record holder Betty Lindbergh of the United States by nearly five minutes.
Fairhead, a native of Ottawa, previously dabbled in athletic pursuits such as bowling and horseshoes, but her interest in setting the 5K record was sparked just over a year ago. In her first attempt at the race last year, she finished with a time of 58 minutes and 52 seconds, a Canadian record for her age group. However, she fell short of the world record by just 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Undaunted, he began training for the 2023 event in March, determined to make history.
Fairhead’s philosophy is that age should never be a limitation. He believes that as long as one feels good, one should pursue one’s desires. Standing at just four feet eleven, she possesses remarkable strength and determination. Even in her late 80s, she was using a chainsaw to cut branches and shovel snow from her walkway. His 90s were marked by a renewed sense of adventure and achievement.
Throughout the run, Fairhead faced challenges such as potholes, cracks in the pavement, and steep drops. But she persevered, much to the cheers and encouragement of the crowd. As she neared the finish line, the excitement grew, and she finished the race with a time of 51 minutes and 10 seconds, beating the previous world record by 4 minutes and 38 seconds.
Fairhead’s success has inspired many who now see aging in a different light. Her determination and positive outlook on life has given others hope that they, too, can find happiness and purpose in their later years. She believes in focusing on what one can do rather than what one cannot do.
Resting in a wheelchair after his incredible feat, Fairhead took a moment to reflect. Taking a deep breath, she raised her fists in the air and whispered to herself, “I did it.” Her story is a testament to the fact that age should never be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams and that determination can lead to remarkable achievements, no matter one’s age.