As expected, the USA Track and Field Masters Indoor Championships were spectacular. Seeing these fit senior folks running at their age, whether indoors, outdoors, or at the World Masters Games, is extremely encouraging. They have a youthful spirit. In the 60m, these two world records were broken this year. At 102 years old, Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins set a new record for the 60m in the women’s 100-plus age group. Take a look at those gorgeous smiles at the conclusion. In addition, Orville Rogers, who is 100 years old, blew past his competitors to create a new record in the 60m in the men’s 100-plus age group. Orville is a freak of nature when it comes to speed. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat took notice and properly dubbed it “Goals!!!” Ida Keeling established the world record for women aged 100 to 104 in the 100-meter dash in 1 minute and 17.33 seconds at the 2016 Penn Relays, then dropped to the track to do pushups as the crowd screamed. Keeling, now 102, talks about thrilling moments like this in her new book, Can’t Nothing Bring Me Down, as well as her struggles: growing up poor in Harlem, working in factories during the Great Depression to raise four children as a single mother, and losing two adult sons to unsolved drug-related violence cases.
