Newcomer Julia Hawkins, 101, reigned supreme in the 100m at USATF Masters Outdoor Championships. ©USA Track & Field
101-year-old Julia Hawkins sets second pending world record in one month at 100m at USATF Masters Outdoor Championships – USA Track & Field – News
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — The full age range of Masters athletes was on display Saturday as 2008 two-time Olympian Walter Dix, 31, and newcomer Julia Hawkins, 101, reigned supreme in the 100m at USATF Masters Outdoor Championships.
On demand video of today's events is available on USATF.TV+. Click here for full results.
Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) ran an inspiring 100m race in 40.12, alongside fellow Baton Rouge native, 92-year-old Mary Norckauer, and 82-year-old Christel Donley (Colorado Springs, Colorado). Hawkins' 40.12 is a pending world record, in addition to her previous pending record 39.62 set earlier in the month. While Hawkins is the oldest female competitor in the history of USATF Masters Outdoor Championships, she just recently picked up running as a hobby when she turned 100.
Hawkins was a sight both on and off the track, as spectators and local media requested photos and interviews with the latest sprints star. When asked how she maintains her lively spirit, Hawkins said that "an exercise program keeps you alive, active and mentally sharp."
On the other side of the spectrum, 31-year-old Walter Dix (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) captured his first USATF Masters medal of his career, taking gold in the M30 100m with a time of 10.28. In 2008, Dix took bronze at the Olympic Games in the 100m, behind Richard Thompson and Usain Bolt, as well as bronze in the 200m.
An impressive performance from Bill Collins (Houston, Texas) of Houston Elite earned him gold in the M65 100m with a world record setting time of 12.34. Collins, who is back after suffering from Guillain-Barré syndrome, noted that today's record marks his 62nd world age record.
Also of note, Myrle Mensey (Saint Louis, Missouri) set an American record in the W65 weight throw this morning with a best of 17.2m on her final attempt. Mensey was just short of breaking the world record.
Weather delays caused several events to be moved indoors including, pole vault, 200m preliminary heats and 4x800m relays.
The final day of competition starts tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. local time with 1500m finals. Click here for a full schedule of events.
Follow the action on social media using #usatfmasterstrack on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Ashley Mitchell
USATF Marketing & Communications Manager
Bob Weiner
USATF National Masters Media Director