Arnesia Young is a contributing writer for My Modern Met and an aspiring art historian. Her parents were Julies Welles and Margaret Welles. I want to keep running as long as I can. This month, at the National Senior Games in Birmingham, Alabama, Hawkins ran the dash in 39.62 seconds. But I dont practice much. Q: If you dont mind my asking, when is your birthday? The 105-year-old Baton Rouge resident stands uncontested as the oldest competitive female sprinter in the world, according to the Louisiana Senior Games, where on Saturday she ran the 100 meters in 1:02.95. She has four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Julia Hawkins, 101, shown here in her Louisiana neighborhood, competed in the USA Track and Field Outdoors Masters Championships. Our free newsletter is delivered at 8 a.m. daily. This week, at the age of 103, Ms. Hawkins returned to the track to run the 50- and 100-meter dash races in the National Senior Games in Albuquerque. It has been a pleasure talking to you. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: general | pageType: stories | As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts. But on that day it seemed to be the best I could have done with the weather like it was. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. It was fun and I fell in love with running. David Bickel, chair of the USATF Masters Track and Field Records Committee, said Tuesday that he has been in touch with the meets referee. Can you imagine that? Amazing things like that are worth watching for. So, despite setting a 100m world record on Sunday at the Louisiana Senior Games, she still wants to go faster. You have permission to edit this article. But I wanted to do it in less than a minute, the 105 year-old said after the race, where she recorded a time of 1:02.95, a record for women in the 105+ age category. In 2017 she set the 100m world record for women over the age of 100 with a time of 39.62. She married Murray Hawkins after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, where Murray was stationed. Look for Magic Moments, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/20/sports/julia-hawkins-running.html. And she was also married to her husband Murray Hawkins for 70 years. BATON ROUGE - Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins, the capital area's iconic 105-year-old runner, is set to make history on the track once again. Star Trek, meet Track Star. In 2016, her daughter Margaret Hawkins Matens wrote a book about her life called "It's Been Wondrous: The Memoirs of Julia Welles Hawkins". The sky is the limit for 105-year-old track and field athlete Julia Hurricane Hawkins. Alana Schreiber is the managing producer for the live daily news program, Louisiana Considered. National Senior Games Also called "The Flower Lady" On the same day, she also broke the world record for her age group in the 200-meter dash and the American record for the javelin. Celebrating record-breaking runner Julia 'The Hurricane' Hawkins' 106th birthday Published February 10, 2022 at 12:33 PM CST Listen 3:47 Last November, Andrew Hecker, a veteran meet organizer and USATF official, said the zero-control test aims to assure the timing system starting sensor is working properly. Several age records for the 100m have tumbled this year. When she was about 3 months old, her family moved to Louisiana. Be sure to keep your eye open for them. Watch 105-year-old Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins run 100 meters at Louisiana Senior Games She clocked 1:02.95 Saturday in Hammond Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins, I find it fun, I like doing it.". Hawkins, who was born in Wisconsin in 1916, said she likes "the feeling of being independent," as well as the challenge. AS: When Hawkins crossed the finish line, she held the title for fastest 100 meter dash in the one hundred and five years and up category. You can still do things when you get older. That is a new world record for women 100 or older. It was windy and cold, cold. (Flowers are another passion of hers.) Hawkins added that a highlight of her life has been racing. She lives in Baton Rouge, La., where she takes daily walks and cares for trees on her property. You don't have to be wealthy to get to see 'em. Like all elite athletes, Julia Hurricane Hawkins has a ruthless streak. She could make even more history at the upcoming National Senior Games, which take place in Florida in May 2022. On Thursday, David Svoboda of timing company chippedtech.com said: To the best of my knowledge, everything is complete. Full results except for wind-speed readings, also key to record ratification were posted only Wednesday. JH: He was in Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. Julia Hawkins runs the 100-meter dash during the USA Track and Field Outdoors Masters Championships in 2017 at LSU's Bernie Moore Stadium. Competitive sprinter Julia Hawkins, 101, wearing a flower in her garden. "[I] missed my nap for this," she said (via USATF) on Saturday at the event at Louisiana State University, not far from where Hawkins lives in Baton Rouge. If I can, I'm gonna go there and try that one. (Sarah Netter / Washington Post). With few competitors in her age category, Hawkins focus now is to continue challenging herself and compete against her own best times on the track and field. "Just stay healthy and keep running," Hawkins offered as advice to anyone aspiring to reach similar heights. Someone comes to stay with me at night, and she gets my breakfast and supper, so Im well taken care of. You have been subscribed to WBUR Today. Eileen Bolinsky edited the Here & Now segment for air, and Serena McMahon adapted it for digital. WWNOs Alana Schreiber has more. Im so glad its over. The retired teacher is no stranger to athletic excellence. We caught up with her afterward, before a celebration with fellow senior athletes and before she got ready to fly home to Louisiana on Thursday. 100. There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. On Centenarian Track Stars Are the Worlds Most Amazing Athletes. Julia Hawkins was born in Wisconsin, USA on 10 February 1916. Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins, who is 103 years old, broke a record in the 100-meter-dash at the 2019 National Senior Games. On Wednesday, when this story first posted, USA Track & Field showed her application for an American record of 1:02.95 in the 105-109 age group was awaiting proof of the required zero-control test. So we were married by telephone. They wed by telephone, Julia in Louisiana and Murray still in Pearl Harbor. She won several gold medals at Senior Olympics events. But Gloria Louis, officials chair in USATFs Southern Association, said Wednesday: We hope to get back with you very soon.. You dont have to be wealthy to get to see them. Yet, Hawkins remains humble about her record breaking runs. One of my children suggested when I was 100 that it would be nice to run the 100-[meter] dash at 100 and do it in less than a 100 seconds, Hawkins says. She is believed to be the oldest woman to formally compete on an American track, according to the organization, which hosts the Olympic-style event for athletes 50 and older. All Rights Reserved. Julia Hawkins: One of my children suggested when I was 100 that it would be nice to run the 100 yard dash in less than 100 seconds. It is performed by placing the gun on the finish line and in Zero Gun Test mode you time the start, he said. If the flash is recorded as 0.00 second, the system is working. Im two years older, remember?, [Sign up for the In Her Words newsletter for more stories of inspiring women.]. If Julia Welles Hawkins loses the 100-meter record to a technicality, shell have another shot in May 2022 at the National Senior Games in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where shed strive for sub-60. But Im a big flower person and I usually wear a flower in my hair, even when Im running. (WAFB) - Julia Hurricane Hawkins just happens to be 104 years young now, and just so happens to be a record-setting runner. A new start after 60: Exercise is my lifeblood so I decided to run my first marathon at 74, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 'Stay healthy and keep running': 105-year-old sprinter sets world record video, Julia Hurricane Hawkins sets record in 105+ category, Athlete has also excelled in cycling time trials. By then, the track star will be 106, and who knows what record she might set next. On 29 January 2021 at the age of 104, Hawkins received her second dose. A daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute. AS: But Hawkins has always been an athlete. Whoops! Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins hopes that she inspires other senior citizens to stay active and interested in things no matter how old they are. And I did it in a lot less than that. In a rather unconventional way. I get wonderful books that tell me the stories and Ive been enjoying them. Meghan Holohan is a contributing writer who covers health and parenting for TODAY.com. Hawkins is not set on competing in those games, yet, though. Meet 101-year-old Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins, who on Saturday became the oldest female athlete to ever compete in the USA Track and Field Outdoors Masters Championships. Its all right with me. AS: Although Murray passed away at age 95, Hawkins is still surrounded by a loving family, who are coming in from out of town to celebrate her 106th birthday on February 10. Hawkins is a natural talent. Life has just been great for me. He said the ZCT, also called the zero gun test, should be done at the beginning of the day. Asked about how she thought her race went on Saturday, she told the Advocate, "This time I wasn't feeling like I was going that fast.". Unfortunately some places, non-certified officials are given the responsibility an official should have., All meets should be properly officiated, he said, but at a masters meet, where records are a greater potential, we have to officiate to the standards of record all the time. It's Boston local news in one concise, fun and informative email. "I always came running in to answer the phone so I thought maybe I could run," she told TODAY. Not quite what she wanted. But I always did Senior Olympics in biking. Hawkins is the listed world record holder in the W100 100-meter dash and 60-meter indoor dash. Then when I got too old to bike up hills and use gears and things, I went to running at 100. IE 11 is not supported. A running record. Have a lot of passions, things that you are interested in. Hawkins shows no signs of breaking stride: She wants to run another 100-meter dash this time at age 106 and in under a minute. Know what the records are (sometimes you need the athletes to tell you) and if there is a record, stop the proceedings, get three officials and the referee involved, Hecker said. Then again, they're not Julia Hawkins. On Saturday, she became the first female track and field athlete and first American to set a world record in the 100-meter dash for her age group of 105+. "She has time to decide, and we aren't pressing for an answer," National Senior Games Association Media Director Del Moon said. You have to water them every day and there is something to do with every one of them almost every day. Theres a good reason they call Julia Hawkins the Hurricane. Back in November, at the age of 105, she set a new world record for fastest 100-meter dash at the Louisiana Senior Games, a multisport competition for adults over 50. The retired educator generated worldwide publicity in both the Birmingham 2017 and Albuquerque 2019 National Senior Games when she set world track records in the 100-104 age category, said the release. Still, hers is an impressive time for someone who was born during World War I. You just keep active.. She studied at Louisiana State University, where she met Murray Hawkins, who was a professor, in 1934. That was in the 100-to-104-year division. (Accounts of her race appeared on the BBC, CBS Morning News, CNN, The Washington Post and hundreds of other outlets.). Shehas a friendly rivalrywith 100-year-old Diane "Flash" Friedman of Cleveland, who beat Hawkins' 2017 record of 39.62 in the 100-meter dash in August with a time of 36.71. And I did it in a lot less than that.. Its no wonder that Hawkins holds herself to such a high standard because this isnt her first time setting a world record. August 16, 2022 by Amasteringall Julia Hawkins was born on February 10, 1916, in Wisconsin, USA. We train and observe each other, improving our techniques as time goes by, he said. And wonderful," she said. The Senior Games were held at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond. On Sunday, November 7, the centenarian set a world record in the 100-meter As I get older, I feel like I only have so many 100-yard dashes left, and I dont want to waste them in practice. "Every time I race it's a magic moment.". 105-year-old Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins sets a new track-and-field record. When Julia Hurricane Hawkins turned 100 years old she stopped biking and started running. Thank you! Hawkins clocked in at just over 1 minute and 2 seconds. There was a problem saving your notification. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. The 'Blue Zones' diet: Foods that help people live to 100, Octogenarian best friends go for the gold. Dont stop. Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins is showing everyone that age is just a number. I have done much better than that, she says, but the high winds and cold weather held her back. Senior Games organizers did not respond to numerous email and phone messages from Times of San Diego. Julie and Margaret Welles were her parents. You just have to be observant and keep a watch on what's out there.. Its important to stay active, and I was thinking that these magic moment things keep you active. Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins is showing everyone that age is just a number. AS: And eight years later, the two were married. She's won several gold medals at previous senior Olympics events, but running felt different. According to the National Senior Games, in 2017 she set a world record for the 100-meter dash for the 100-104 age group with a time of just over 39 seconds. Keep yourself in good shape if you can. Run the 100 meter dash in less than a minute. However, with her time on Saturday, she did qualify for the event. Now she's tackling the rest Julia Hurricane Hawkins has gone where no woman has ever gone before as the first female track and field athlete, and the first American, to set a track and field world record and establish a 105+ age category. Hawkins began running when she was JH: Theres gonna be a meet in Florida coming up in June. 11:35 am ET, H.S. I would ride my bike every day and as I got older someone would go with me, she explained. She eventually ended her cycling career saying that there wasnt anyone left my age to compete with. Hawkins, a Ponchatoula native who graduated from LSU in 1938, is a retired teacher who actually has some centenarian competition. When you think back, what are you most proud of in your lifetime? It would be terribly disappointing if Julias mark is not ratified given the fact that the event received so much advance publicity, Jerome said. Amazing things like that that are so worth watching for, she says. Dubbed Hurricane Hawkins, the retired schoolteacher from Baton Rouge may be robbed of record certification due to an officiating miscue failure to test the Back in 2017, the determined lady set another 100-meter record in the 100-104 age category with a time of 39:62. Julia Hawkins running the 100 meter dash in November, 2021 Theres a good reason they call Julia Hawkins the Hurricane. Back in November, at the age of Brit Huckabay/National Senior Games Association, via Associated Press. But Kowalski is still alive at 111. Rob Jerome of New York City has traveled the world taking photos of masters track athletes. When an audience member pointed out that 102 is less than her age of 105 and asked if that made her feel any better, Hawkins responded with a matter-of-fact, No.. Previously that year she had run the 100 meters in 39.62 seconds. JH: We met on the first day at LSU. I love to run, and I love being an inspiration to others, Hawkins said on Sunday. Five years later, at the 2021 Louisiana Senior Games, theBaton Rouge native had a new goal: run the 100-meter dash in less than a minute. We talk a lot about hurricanes in Louisiana and the fact that they do a lot of harm makes me not like that so much, but it is part of our home life and I guess if they think thats cute, its all right with me. That's 10 times slower than the world record for all runners, set in 2009 by 22-year-old Usain Bolt at 9.58 seconds. Hawkins has always been an athlete. Julia 'Hurricane' Hawkins, 105, of Baton Rouge runs the 100 meters Saturday at the Louisiana Senior Games in Hammond. Like all elite athletes, Julia Hurricane Hawkins has a ruthless streak. To stay in shape, just keep active. Hawkins always enjoyed being active. This story has been lightly edited for length and clarity. While she doesnt run regularly, she bends and stretches every day and walks around her property to tend to her plants. Fears Arise: Julia Hawkins, 105, Robbed of World Age Record in 100-Meter Dash, USATF application for American track and field records. She started competing at the National Senior Games when she was 80, specialising in cycling time trials, and won several gold medals. 97,862 views Nov 6, 2021 953 Dislike Share Save NOLA.com 91.4K subscribers Julia WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | Receive our Weekly Newsletter. One day at a time.. She knew shed be a good runner because she had a lot of practice sprinting to pick up phone calls to her landline. If either of those times get certified in December, she will become the official world-record holder. They're absolutely out of this world, they're so unusual. WebHurricane Hawkins has no plans of slowing down (5:50) Age ain't nothing but a number for 103-year-old Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins who struck gold at the 2019 National Senior Games. They were in the fourth grade when I taught them and now theyre 90! He was from New Orleans and I was from Ponchatoula, which was a little town. Gerontology Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. Not only that, but by running the 100 meters in 40.12 seconds, she shaved more than six seconds off the current certified world record for women aged 100 or older. Want to advertise with us? If I can, Id like to go, she told The Washington Post. Julia Hawkins currently lives at her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA at the age of 107 years, 19 days. I read. Ms. Hawkins got into running late in life, and it has become one of her many passions. A screenshot of Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins running the 100-meter dash at the 2021 Louisiana Senior Games. And the record-breaking sprinter is showing no signs of slowing down. 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