Advertisement

99-year old steals show at Gay Games

99-year old steals show at Gay Games

Ida Keeling is your new hero.

For the first time ever, someone participated in an ages 95-to-99 category in an internationally certified 100-meter race. Ida Keeling smashed that barrier on Tuesday, as she ran 100 meters in a time of 59.8 seconds at the Gay Games.

And she knows how to provide a good soundbite, too! Here's what she told Ohio.com:

"I'm running from old age and arthritis," the New York City great-great-grandmother quipped. "Believe me!”

Keeling may trivialize her achievement but the story behind what started her running is much more profound.

She started competitive running at 67 years of age in an attempt to deal with the loss of two sons who were killed in drug-related homicides.

“I was so depressed, and my daughter wanted to take me on a mini run,” said Keeling.

“After it was finished, I felt relaxed and relieved.”

It was her daughter, Shelley Keeling, a track coach in the Bronx, who saw her mother struggling and begged her to start running with her.

“She was sinking deeper and deeper,” said Shelley.

“I said, ‘Mama, you had four kids, but I only have one mother. You’re coming out with me.’ I wasn’t sure if it would work, but I knew I had to try something.”