Heart surgery hasn’t stopped 97-year-old runner Grace Chambers from claiming her 250th Parkrun. This weekend she completed the 5k run at Ormeau Park in south Belfast, making her the oldest Parkrunner in Europe to complete the challenge. It was four weeks after her recent operation.
Chambers only began her Parkrun journey in 2016 at the age of 88, recovering from another major surgery. She was encouraged to come along to the Ormeau Parkrun by a member of her rehabilitation team, and quickly became a regular.
When she had heart surgery four weeks ago, she only missed one week during her recovery. “I told the surgeon I was going to test out his work,” she told BBC News. “I’ve got a new valve, why would I not use it.”
The surgeon in question – Dr Jonny Mailey from the cardiology unit at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital – performed the keyhole valve replacement and came along to support her on her 250th Parkrun.
A bench celebrating Grace’s incredible achievement has been installed in Ormeau Park.
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Top image: Grace Chambers with Cathy Craig, who helps her round the course most weeks (credit: Ormeau parkrun)
