Run It Fast®

This is the finisher’s medal from the Calgary Marathon that took place on June 1, 2014 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Huge medal! And this is the medal for the half marathon:

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[medal photos submitted by RIF #244 Susan Warcholak – follow her on Twitter @dothingsalways and by RIF #274 Brennan Thompson. Follow on Twitter @bthompson_91]

This is the finisher’s medal for the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon that took place on June 1, 2014 in San Diego, California.

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[medal photo submitted by Rackie – follow her on Twitter @kickingrox]

91-year old North Carolina resident Harriette Thompson ran and finished the 2014 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon on Sunday with a time of 7:07:42.

It’s an impressive crown to wear, after all: Her average pace – 16 minutes, 20 seconds per mile – surpasses the walking speed of a typical healthy adult. And this was all in spite of the fact she’s still recovering from recent radiation treatments for squamous cell carcinoma. The burns on her legs are still healing. (per People)

Harriette’s time is the fastest by a woman over 90 years old by a moonshot according to Runner’s World.

Thompson’s time was well under the previous fastest time in the women’s 90-and-over division, 8:53:08, run by Mavis Lindgren at the 1997 Portland Marathon. The oldest female marathon finisher on record is Gladys Burrill, who ran the 2010 Honolulu Marathon in 9:53:16 at the age of 92.

Her comments after finishing the 26.2 mile race made many laugh:

“I feel wonderful,” Thompson told Runner’s World Newswire. “I feel very relieved and I feel very anxious to take a shower and then fall into bed.”

Thompson didn’t start running until she was 76-years old. She has run a marathon every year since then on behalf of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team In Training, raising over $90,000 in the process.

And in true Run It Fast spirit she said, “You’re never too old to do it. I started my first marathon at 76.” She went on to state that she planned to be back at San Diego for the marathon again next year, “I’ll try and do better next year and be in better shape.”

What an amazing and inspirational woman. A lot of us give up on being active or doing the impossible as we age. Harriette decided at 76-years old to run a marathon and has done it every year since then. Not enough words to praise the example she has set and how many she is inspiring.

This is the gorgeous medal the finishers of the Newport Marathon received on May 31, 2014 in Newport, Oregon.

Congrats to Run It Fast follower Angie who not only earned this awesome bling but also qualified for Boston! Also, this race has oyster stations at miles 11 & 19 if you need an extra incentive to run it. 😉

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[medal photo submitted by Angie Gerber – follow her on Twitter @runningdaiz]

This is the very patriotic finisher’s medal for the Run for the Dream Half Marathon that took place on June 1, 2014 in Williamsburg, Virginia.

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[medal photo submitted by Darius – follow him on Twitter @dzoid11]

This is the very cool finisher’s medal for the ING Night Half Marathon Luxembourg that took place on May 31, 2014 in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

Now THIS is a medal!

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[Medal submitted by Runners Knees. Follow on Twitter @runnersknees]