97-year-old Belfast runner celebrates new record

Grace Chambers, a 97-year-old Belfast woman has achieved an exceptional athletic accomplishment by completing 250 parkruns, setting new aspirations to become her local event's first centenarian participant.

Park runner extraordinaire began her remarkable running journey nine years ago following her daughter's challenge, after medical restrictions prevented her from continuing her passion for climbing.

The nonagenarian recorded her first 5km event in 44 minutes and 54 seconds at Belfast's Ormeau Park in September 2016, achieving a personal best of 38:09 the next week.

Motivated senior citizen has completed 251 parkruns, with 245 runs occurring at her home course in her parkrun career.

Chambers shared heartwarming note for social connections developed through weekly gatherings: "Every week I look forward to seeing all the people I know and catching up on their news." 

A Northern Ireland resident further expressed: "The support on the day was unbelievable,It was a glorious day, a gift from God."

The recent milestone attracted significant local attention, with television coverage and enthusiastic supporters accompanying her 250th finish.

The dedicated runner has established new objectives, targeting 300 total parkruns while aspiring to become Ormeau Park's first centenarian participant. "For me it's very important to have a goal and something to work toward," the healthy old mum concluded.

Parkrun organizers note the green 250-run milestone shirt remains among the program's most exclusive achievements, surpassed only by 500 and 1,000-run distinctions in their recognition system.

The global running movement has expanded dramatically since its 2004 London inception, growing from 13 initial participants to over 11 million registered members worldwide across 23 countries.