With Seconds To Spare, 70-Year-Old Woman Finishes 100-Mile Endurance Race

[demmiblue]

Source: NPR

The Western States Endurance Run is the world's oldest 100-mile race — and among its toughest. Runners begin the race in Squaw Valley, Calif., climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet before they reach the finish line in Auburn, Calif.

Here's what that looks like:



This year's male winner was Rob Krar, 38, of Flagstaff, Ariz., who completed the course in 14:48:59. That's an incredible time. But the loudest cheers at the finish line on Sunday were reserved for 70-year-old Gunhild Swanson of Spokane Valley, Wash.

Here's how Runner's World describes what happened:

Read more: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/06/30/418897517/with-just-seconds-to-spare-70-year-old-finishes-100-mile-endurance-race

What an inspiration!

[shenmue]

1. Wow

[ananda]

2. Ohhh, that was so beautiful!

..

[jberryhill]

3. Good thing we got that leap second in this week

[Laffy Kat]

4. Goddess love her! What an inspiration. nt

[Gin]

5. Wow....just wow

[former9thward]

6. Fantastic!

[Travis_0004]

7. I love this graphic

A lot of people talk about Boston and Heartbreak hill. This puts things in perspective.



The graphic is older before they switched direction on the course. In this graphic the course is 'all downhill'. That alone was quite an accomplishment, now that the direction has been reversed and its uphill, its an even bigger accomplishment.

[demmiblue]

9. Thanks for that additional info/graphic.

Astonishing to see the comparison!

[ohheckyeah]

8. Beyond awesome.

Very cool.

[Solly Mack]

10. I wanna be her.

Awesome!