At 107, Julia Hawkins, affectionately known as “the Hurricane”, continues to defy age barriers by setting records and inspiring people around the world with her incredible athletic performance. Her recent achievement in breaking the 100m world record in her age group is nothing short of remarkable.
Hawkins’ journey to sprinting began in the 100, a challenge suggested by her children. She exceeded expectations and completed the 100-yard dash faster than expected, sparking a passion for running that continued into her 100s. The 2021 Louisiana Senior Games witnessed her determination as she struggled to complete the 100 meters in under a minute despite facing adverse weather conditions. Although she finished in just over 62 seconds, her perseverance remained steadfast.
Her race had a sentimental touch with former students cheering her on, a heartening testament to her influence as a teacher. Reflecting on her win, she expressed a mixture of pride and desire to reach the sub-minute mark. Still, her family celebrated her triumph and breaking the world record in her age category – a testament to her unparalleled resilience and athletic prowess.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Hawkins finds joy in family, gardening, and cherishing life’s fleeting but magical moments. Rooted in a keen appreciation of the wonders of life, her advice to others is a testament to her wisdom and enduring spirit.
And at 107, she continues to inspire generations, proving that age is just a number in the pursuit of passion and joy. Senior runner Julia Hawkins is living proof that age is nothing but a number, breaking the world record for her age group in the 100m!
Even at 107, she doesn’t seem to be slowing down!
Hawkins admitted to WWNO that she hasn’t always been a runner and that in fact one of her kids suggested that she try to run the 100-yard dash in under a minute when she turns 100.
She said, “And I finished it in a lot less time.”
Five years later, Hawkins, a retired teacher, wanted to run a sub-minute speed at the 2021 Louisiana Senior Games; she finished just over 62 seconds. She said: “I performed much better.” “It was really cold and windy. However, given the conditions at the time, it seemed like the best I could do that day.’
A particularly touching feature of the race was the fact that Hawkins had several of her former students cheering her on from the stands! “I’ve had three different kids of that race from three different schools where I’ve worked as a teacher. They’re also in their nineties. They were in the fourth grade when I taught them, they’re in their nineties today! That reveals my age to you,” she remarked.
The retired teacher was not surprised to win the fastest 100m in the 105+ age category but was disappointed not to finish under a minute. Her family was thrilled that she had won the race and broken the world record – a truly remarkable achievement! “I knew it was possible because there aren’t that many older people doing things like that,” she said.
“When I started, there weren’t a lot of people running, and most of them weren’t even athletes. Just older women trying a different approach. So I could usually beat the ones who weren’t real athletes.”
In addition to her newfound love of running, Hawkins enjoys gardening and spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren! She was married to Murray Hawkins for 70 years before he passed away a few years ago and she also cherished their time together.
“I was from Ponchatoula, a small town, and he was from New Orleans. Regarding their early dating, she recalled, “I went home and wrote about him in my journal when I saw him and I met him and I saw how smart and good… he looked.”
Eight years later, the two finally got married over the phone!
“While he was in the Navy there, he was present at the bombing of Pearl Harbor. So we were husband and wife on the phone when he was sent there. which was not common at the time. My father-in-law traveled with me to Baton Rouge to check that it was in Louisiana legal. Really, it was. So we got married over the phone,” she noted.
Hawkins offers some advice to others as she ages, stating that we should always look for the “magical moments” in life.
“Magical moments are things you witness that you don’t often see in the past. like a particularly beautiful sunrise, sunset, or shooting star,” she noted. “Incredible things like this are worth watching. You don’t have to be rich to see them. You just have to be alert and aware of your surroundings.”
From setting records at 105 to breaking them at 107, Hawkins displays a resilience and determination that defies conventional notions of aging. Her running started as a challenge to her children, a decision that led her to achieve remarkable milestones, even when the weather wasn’t always in her favor.
The race had a sentimental touch with former students cheering her on, a testament to her influence as an educator. Despite falling short of her sub-minute goal, her family celebrated her victory and new world record in her category, highlighting her unmatched strength and athleticism.
In addition to her athletic pursuits, Hawkins finds joy in the simple pleasures of gardening, cherished moments with her family, and appreciating the wonders of life. Her advice to enjoy the “magical moments” underscores her wisdom, advocating mindfulness and appreciation of the world around us.
At 107, Julia Hawkins continues to inspire generations, reminding us that age should never limit our aspirations or discourage us from embracing life’s extraordinary moments. Her legacy reaches far beyond records and serves as a beacon of resilience and a testament to the enduring spirit in us all.