Geezers say the coolest things — and grow on us

Mavis Hutchison, 80, is known as the “Galloping Granny” down south — down in South Africa, that is. A former resident of Durban, site of the 1997 World Masters Athletics Championships, Mavis knows how to play the press. Today’s news from the South African Broadcasting Corp. (SABCnews) quotes Mavis as saying: We have to have goals when you get to my age. You don’t grow old; when you stop growing, you are old. I don’t want to stop growing yet.”


The entire piece:
South Africa’s “Galloping Granny” is proof that growing old does not mean you have to slow down. Mavis Hutchison (80) won five medals at the Masters World Athletics Championships held in Spain recently. She won gold in the 400m and four other silver medals.
Hutchinson says she is looking forward to taking part in more races. “We have to have goals when you get to my age. You don’t grow old; when you stop growing you are old. I don’t want to stop growing yet.”
The secret of her success at Masters level is no different to the recipe athletes on the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) series follow. “The standards were very high, and of course everybody is very competitive, you’re looking for a medal, you’re looking for your personal best, you’re looking for a record somewhere along the line, so, and we work hard.”
Next month, Hutchinson will be taking part in a project to raise awareness about drug abuse in sport. She will run from Cape Agullas to Cape Point, a distance of more than 300km, along with blind runner Johnny Demas and Nick Bester, former Comrades Marathon winner, among others. However, first there are the Masters Championships in Potchefstroom.
Here are results featuring Mavis from San Sebastian:
WOMEN’S 400m F80 FINAL
1. Mavis Hutchison RSA 1:55.81
WOMEN’S 10km Walk F80 FINAL
1. Miriam Gordon USA 1:18:01.00
2. Mavis Hutchison RSA 1:29:28.00
WOMEN’S 5000m Walk F80 FINAL
1. Miriam Gordon USA 37:10.27
2. Mavis Hutchison RSA 41:11.69
WOMEN’S 1500m F80 FINAL
1. Nina Naumenko RUS 7:34.01
2. Mavis Hutchison RSA 9:58.54
WOMEN’S 800m F80 FINAL
1. Nina Naumenko RUS 3:45.00
2. Mavis Hutchison RSA 4:34.13
(Mavis beat other ladies in these race, FYI.)
You go, girl! Keep up the great galloping, granny!

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October 10, 2005