Harriette Thompson was a remarkable woman who achieved incredible feats in her lifetime, and her story serves as an inspiration to people of all ages. Born in 1922, Harriette spent most of her life in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she raised two children and worked as a pianist and music teacher.
It wasn’t until her late seventies that Harriette discovered her true passion – running. She began competing in 5K races and quickly progressed to longer distances, eventually competing in marathons. However, her greatest achievement came at the age of 92, when she became the oldest woman to ever complete a marathon, running the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in just over 7 hours.
But Harriette wasn’t content with just one marathon, she went on to run more than 20 marathons, breaking her own record as the oldest woman to complete the marathon multiple times.
But Harriette’s impact on the world extends far beyond her running accomplishments. She used her platform to raise awareness and money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She raised more than $100,000 for the society through her participation in marathons.
One of the most inspiring things about Harriette’s story is her attitude towards aging. She refused to let her age define her, instead choosing to challenge herself and push herself to new heights. She proved that no matter how old you are, it’s never too late to chase your dreams and make a difference in the world.
Harriette Thompson passed away in 2017 at the age of 94 but her legacy lives on, serving as a reminder to people of all ages that age is just a number and that anything is possible with determination and perseverance.
Harriette Thompson is an inspiration to many, showing that age is not the barrier that many people make it out to be, and that it is possible to live an active, fulfilling life at any age. Her marathon running and fundraising for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are her contributions to the world, proving that small actions can make a big difference. Harriette’s story is a reminder to us all to never give up on our dreams and to always strive to be the best version of ourselves.
