“For some, running is a lifelong love”
MANCHESTER, Conn. — Zofia Turosz, age 71, hopes to win another Boston Marathon title today. She is the defending champion in the women’s 70-to-74-year-old group.Last year, Turosz finished the race in 4 hours, 19 minutes, 49 seconds.
“Running is my passion,’’ said Turosz, who practices for the race while working two cleaning jobs. On most days, she runs 8-10 miles starting at 4:30 a.m. or even earlier.
Turosz began running as a teenager in Poland. She ran fast, despite limited race opportunities and a lack of formal coaching. Running, especially for women, is more common now than it was then. Today, Turosz is one of the fastest runners for her age.
“I was born too soon,’’ said Turosz. “I wish I had been born later. I would like to be only 25 years old now.’’
She has run 51 marathons as well as some longer races. She ran her best time, 2:57:21, in her first Boston Marathon at age 48.
Tomorrow, Turosz will be one of 142 runners 70 or olderout of 26,696 total. The oldest runner in this year’s race will be 83-year-old Regina Tumidajewicz.
Greater knowledge about the sport and about aging has made older runners faster. Katherine Beiers, 77, finished in 5:00:50 last year.
Beiers, a former librarian, started running at age 50 to become healthier and more active. “I run with younger people — 30-, 40-, 50-year-olds,’’ said Beiers. “They all say they want to be like me when they grow up.’’
Turosz ran with her son and 18-year-old granddaughter at the Warsaw Marathon last September. It was her proudest running moment.
“My granddaughter decided she wanted to run a marathon with me,’’ said Turosz. “So, we ran our first marathon together.’’
And there may be many more. Turosz says she isn’t stopping anytime soon.
Adapted from an article in the Boston Globe by Shira Springer, published April 19, 2010.
“For some, running is a lifelong love”
MANCHESTER, Conn. — Zofia Turosz, age 71, hopes to win another Boston Marathon title today. She is the defending champion in the women’s 70-to-74-year-old group. Last year, Turosz finished the race in 4 hours, 19 minutes, 49 seconds.
“Running is my passion,’’ said Turosz, who practices for the race while working two cleaning jobs. On most days, she runs 8-10 miles starting at 4:30 a.m. or even earlier.
Turosz began running as a teenager in Poland. She ran fast, despite limited race opportunities and a lack of formal coaching. Running, especially for women, is more common now than it was then. Today, Turosz is one of the fastest runners for her age.
“I was born too soon,’’ said Turosz. “I wish I had been born later. I would like to be only 25 years old now.’’
She has run 51 marathons as well as some longer races. She ran her best time, 2:57:21, in her first Boston Marathon at age 48.
Tomorrow, Turosz will be one of 142 runners 70 or older out of 26,696 total. The oldest runner in this year’s race will be 83-year-old Regina Tumidajewicz.
Greater knowledge about the sport and about aging has made older runners faster. Katherine Beiers, 77, finished in 5:00:50 last year.
Beiers, a former librarian, started running at age 50 to become healthier and more active. “I run with younger people — 30-, 40-, 50-year-olds,’’ said Beiers. “They all say they want to be like me when they grow up.’’
Turosz ran with her son and 18-year-old granddaughter at the Warsaw Marathon last September. It was her proudest running moment.
“My granddaughter decided she wanted to run a marathon with me,’’ said Turosz. “So, we ran our first marathon together.’’
And there may be many more. Turosz says she isn’t stopping anytime soon.
Adapted from an article in the Boston Globe by Shira Springer, published April 19, 2010.
Vocabulary
Defending champion: the person who won last year, and hopes to win again
Marathon: a 26.2-mile race
Coaching: training in a sport from a coach (teacher)
Teenager: a person who is between the ages of 13-19