“I don’t feel old. 95 is only a number, it’s how you feel and your attitude is important”.
Grace Chambers is the 95-year-old grandmother from Belfast who is aiming to soon complete her 200th parkrun.
After only picking up the sport in her late 80s, Grace is truly an inspiration and a testament to the old saying, “You’re only as old as you feel”.
Grace Chambers – an inspiration
In 2021, the then 93-year-old completed her 100th parkrun only five years after taking up the sport. At the time, she told BBC Radio Ulster, “I loved climbing mountains and I loved hill walking, I still do.
“I had surgery on my leg and the surgeon said as I was on the table ‘now Mrs Chambers there will be no climbing and no running this summer’. I jumped up and said ‘I’m here under false pretences, get me home’!”.
On Saturday past, she completed her 178th run at Ormeau Park. Her running friends surprised her with an early birthday cake to mark her 95th birthday this week.
It’s all about your attitude – you’re only as old as you feel
Grace talked about how young men who run the 5k race in 17 minutes give her a high five as she takes on the challenge.
She said, “My amazement was that they looked at me as old..because I don’t feel old. 95 is only a number, it’s how you feel and your attitude is important”.
Grace is an inspirational woman who won’t let her age slow her down or stop her from doing what she loves doing.
She used to be a lecturer at Stranmillis University College and now spends some of her time helping university students with their studies.
She lives independently, has younger friends, and, of course, keeps herself very active.
No stopping anytime soon – aiming to hit 200 parkruns
Grace hasn’t always been in great health, having undergone open-heart surgery and recently suffering a broken hip.
However, any setbacks or reminders to slow down only give Grace more incentive to keep moving and to ramp things up.
She said after her surgery, “Most people at that age when they go to Musgrave, they go on to a nursing home. 10 days later they’re in a grave”.
However, Grace has zero intentions of slowing things down or stopping her parkruns any time soon. Grace has been a local legend for years now and continues to meet and inspire new people every day.
We wish her a huge Happy 95th Birthday for this week and will be cheering when she hits her 200-parkrun target.
