Rosario Iglesias dies at 98; held five masters world records
Rosario was the class of the W90s.
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Mexican masters legend Rosario Iglesias has died, according to news reports. Rosario, a tiny woman with a giant reputation, was 98 and set many records from 200 meters to the middle distances. “After winning a series of local and national championships at 200, 400,
800 and 1,500 metres, Iglesias (in her 80s) began competing abroad. She won races in
Canada, Japan, South Africa, Barbados, Britain, Australia, Puerto Rico
and the United States,” said one report. I think I saw her at a masters outdoor nationals, or perhaps at 1999 Gateshead worlds. The Mexican National Sports Commission, which reported here death in Mexico City on Saturday, said: “With her example as a fighter, she motivated Mexicans to become active and she showed through her discipline, commitment and love that it’s possible to make dreams come true. (Iglesias proved that) barriers don’t exist when one sets out to reach a goal in life.”
Here’s one of many obituaries, this from The Associated Press:
Senior female runner with five world records dies
MEXICO CITY — Rosario Iglesias — one of the world’s fastest women of 90 years and more – has died in Mexico City. She was 98.
Iglesias died Saturday, according to Mexico’s National Sports Commission. It did not give further details, and her family could not be reached for comment Sunday.
The news vendor took up sports at the age of 80 and went on to hold five world records for her age group. In 2004, she carried the Olympic torch before tens of thousands on the featured leg of its passage through Mexico en route to Athens.
“With her example as a fighter, she motivated Mexicans to become active and she showed through her discipline, commitment and love that it’s possible to make dreams come true,” the commission said.
The commission said Iglesias proved that “barriers don’t exist when one sets out to reach a goal in life.”
Born in Mexico City on Aug. 31, 1910, Iglesias collected newspapers from distributors and ran though the streets delivering them to subscribers, covering nine to 11 kilometres a day. A customer who was also a runner noticed her rushing about and suggested she enter a race.
She did, won and her running career took off.
After winning a series of local and national championships at 200, 400, 800 and 1,500 metres, Iglesias began competing abroad. She won races in Canada, Japan, South Africa, Barbados, Britain, Australia, Puerto Rico and the United States.
According to World Masters Athletics, the IAAF-recognized sanctioning body for senior athletes, Iglesias held world records in five categories – both the 85-and 90-and-over class at 400 and 800 metres and the 90-and-over record at 200 metres (82.29 seconds).
She was known as “Chayito,” a nickname often applied to Mexican women named Rosario. She had two daughters, 15 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.
2 Responses
Much love and admiration to one of our great ladies of our time. She will always be remembered both for her courage and her never giving up spirit. If only a few women can follow in her foot steps, I must say that is all for the good of womenhood. She shall be in my heart and life for the rest of my life. I will make the determination to learn and follow her example and pass it on to all those I came in contact with, especially my own children and extended families. Her true spirit shall always live!!!!
Wow this woman is great i can’t even do that now… she is defiantly my role model…..
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