She’s 103 and Just Ran the 100-Meter Dash. Her Life Advice? ‘Look for Magic Moments’

For too many, age becomes identity. Not "Hurricane" Hawkins!

Two years ago, at the age of 101, Julia Hawkins set a record. A running record.
Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins took up running at age 100. “As I get older, I feel like I only have so many 100-yard dashes left, and I don’t want to waste them in practice,” she said.She ran the 100-meter dash, finishing with a time of 39.62 seconds. 

They called her the “Hurricane.”

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 Gamesin Albuquerque. 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.

There is admittedly little competition in the centenarian age group, and Ms. Hawkins was largely competing against herself. She finished the 100-meter dash about six seconds slower than her record time, but she was still pleased with the result. “I’m two years older, remember?”

Ms. Hawkins got into running late in life, and it has become one of her many passions. She lives in Baton Rouge, La., where she takes daily walks and cares for trees on her property. She has four children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was married to her late husband, Murray, for 70 years, after they had a wedding by telephone during World War II... (continues)