Ageing, as many say, is just a number. While many give being older as a reason for not doing many things, or as an excuse for not even attempting the simplest of tasks, we have people who are breaking records.
This Canadian man is doing just that. He is 85-years-old and recently ran a 4-hour marathon, probably inspiring the entire population that stood watching him run. In Canada at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Ed Whitlock reportedly did not just happen to run a marathon, but also finished it in 3 hours and 56 minutes, shattering the world record!
A video by Canadian Running magazine shows Whitlock, a resident of Milton, Ontario, break the men’s 85-89 age group record for the marathon. He took approximately 40 minutes off the former world record. And if you notice, you will see a lot of other comparatively younger people falling behind.
In the video, he is seen telling the Canadian Running that he might have started the race off too fast and wasn’t feeling great at around the 15-mile mark. He still seems to have done well and his smile extended from ear-to-ear when he finished ahead of many others.
Found this inspiring? Well, he’s not the only one. Even here in India, we have senior citizens setting fitness goals for generations. Take, for instance, Milind Soman’s 76-year-old mom, Usha, who ran alongside him during a charity run and that too in a sari and barefoot! Then there’s Meenakshiamma in Kerala, the 76-year-old Kalaripayattu veteran who takes on men half her age with ease.
So, the next time you think you can’t do something because you’re not as young as you used to be, remember these guys and get moving!