First-time racer, 80, beats Tely 10 record
Eighty-year-old Nora Connors wanted to do more than just pass the finish line at the 89th running of the Tely 10 road race on Sunday — she wanted to break the record for her age category. And she did.
The octogenarian from Northern Bay Sands beat out the previous record of 2:31:35 set by Winnifred Glover with a time of 2:20:59.
"Oh my God, oh my God. You can't explain the feeling — I made it, I made it! It's hard to explain," Connors told CBC from the finish line.
Connors said she set the goal for herself last year on her 79th birthday.
"I said to my daughters, 'I think I'm going to do the Tely 10 when I get 80,' so of course they've encouraged me ever since."
When asked if she plans to race again next year, Connors didn't hesitate.
"Please God, I'll work on it. I feel sure that I will."
Nearly 5,000 runners registered to run in the race that takes competitors through Paradise, Mount Pearl and St. John's.
Bazeley topped the previous women's overall record of 55:47 set by Nicola Will in 1986.
"It felt amazing because I broke that record that's been haunting me," said Bazeley.
"It wasn't until coming down the home stretch that I knew I had it, and I was so happy," she said.
Back in 2012, Fewer set a record in the 35 to 39 age category after completing the race with a time of 49:43.
Fewer said it was an exhilarating experience after taking a year off due to injury.
"Spiritually, it's an amazing feeling," he said.
"You've got all this positive energy just cheering for you — it carries you through the finish line."
