Deirdre Larkin enjoys running now more than ever, at 90 years old
FONTAINEBLEAU – Randburg running icon, Deirdre Larkin shows no sign of slowing down at 90.
She may be 90 years old, but Deirdre Larkin lives her life to the fullest and is enjoying running now more than ever before.
Speaking at the 10km SPAR Grand Prix series run at Marks Park Sports Club, Emmarentia, where she was the oldest runner on the day, Larkin had journalists and other runners in stitches as she told stories about her running career.
“Too many people retire at 60 and sit down to knit all day long,” she said at the press briefing after the run.
“If you run, you can improve your health and live up to 90, at least.”
She joked that she doesn’t really compete at big races:, she just participates in them. This while her times are better than many people a quarter of her age.
The Fontainebleau resident ran at Randburg Harriers in Praegville for many years, but has recently moved to Run Zone Athletics Club in Northcliff.
“I am enjoying running now more than ever before. Run Zone has lovely routes that are not too difficult and I go to just about every club run. It is nice to talk to people and make new friends every weekend.”
Larkin runs five days a week and keeps a strict, healthy vegetarian diet with no sweets, although she occasionally enjoys the odd chocolate.
Larkin only started running at 78, and she is the world record holder for her age category in half-marathons.
She set the record of 02:04:00 at the 2017 Geneva Marathon in Switzerland.
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Also read: Randburg Harriers honours Deirdre Larkin with run named after her
Randburg Harriers honours Deirdre Larkin with run named after her
Fontainebleau’s Deirdre Larkin is the fastest 86-year-old around
