You're never too old for SPORTS DAY

These women are going for gold, proving age is just a number

- KIM WILLIS

‘Life’s much more fun when you take part!’

Iris Holder, 81, from Worcester, competes in the long jump, triple jump, relay, and 100m. She won gold in the 100m 80-84-year age group, with a time of 19.52 seconds, at the 2021 British Masters Athletic Federation Championships in Derby.

I was 56 when my son joined the local athletics club and I found myself standing on the sidelines, feeling a little bored. So instead of watching, I joined the road runners. At first, I jogged one mile along the canal and back, then took part in 5k and 10k runs.

When the club formed a Masters League [typically for athletes aged over 35], I went from road running to track running. It was a big step. When you run in a group, you can hide. When you run on an athletics track, you have to stay in your lane and you feel more exposed. The club asked if I could jump and I said, ‘I suppose so!’ With that, I started doing high jump, long jump and triple jump, as well as running.

I have won lots of gold medals over the years, at the British and European Masters Championships, and I’ve broken a few British records too. Records are there to be broken and I like breaking them!