Alone at The Top

Gerry Davidson, age 80, ran a mile in 9:00 on the track last May, breaking the world record for woman 80 and older! Since then Davidson has been breaking road and track records all over in her new age-group. Which hasn't surprised her a bit. "When I was about to turn 80, I looked at the times for my new age-group and thought 'I can do that,'"says Davidson, who practices yoga and runs 25 miles a week, including one track workout resides in Fallbrook, CA.

Davidson admits that her pool of rivals is relatively small, but this doesn't bother her. "I feel good about my records," says Davidson. "There isn't much competition in the United States for me, so I look to the rest of the world. Going after age-group records is a big motivator."

*Reprinted by permission of Runner's World magazine. Copy written 2002, Rodele Press, Inc. All right reserved.