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| 71-year-old grandmother completes 100-mile ultramarathon - with just six seconds to go | 71-year-old grandmother completes 100-mile ultramarathon - with just six seconds to go |
| (34 minutes later) | |
| A 71-year-old grandmother finished a gruelling 100-mile ultramarathon in California – with just six seconds to spare before the cut-off time. | A 71-year-old grandmother finished a gruelling 100-mile ultramarathon in California – with just six seconds to spare before the cut-off time. |
| Gunhild Swanson was the last person to cross the finish line at The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, but she still managed to steal the show by becoming the first woman over the age of 70 to ever finish the 45-year-old racing event. | Gunhild Swanson was the last person to cross the finish line at The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, but she still managed to steal the show by becoming the first woman over the age of 70 to ever finish the 45-year-old racing event. |
| Mrs Swanson was almost certain she would never make the 30-hour cut-off point after she went off-course in the middle of the race. | Mrs Swanson was almost certain she would never make the 30-hour cut-off point after she went off-course in the middle of the race. |
| Still, she managed to cross the finish line just in the nick of time at 29 hours, 59 seconds and 54 milliseconds. | Still, she managed to cross the finish line just in the nick of time at 29 hours, 59 seconds and 54 milliseconds. |
| Speaking with the ultramarathon website, iRunFar.com, the runner explained how, at the 88-mile mark, things started to go pear-shaped when she made a “rookie mistake.” | Speaking with the ultramarathon website, iRunFar.com, the runner explained how, at the 88-mile mark, things started to go pear-shaped when she made a “rookie mistake.” |
| The race sees runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet before they reach the finish line. | The race sees runners climb more than 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet before they reach the finish line. |
| In between the 100 miles, participants run and climb through valleys, country and canyons and cross the ice-cold waters of the Middle Fork of the American River. | In between the 100 miles, participants run and climb through valleys, country and canyons and cross the ice-cold waters of the Middle Fork of the American River. |
| W/ only 4 seconds left, 70 y/o Swanson finishes @wser100 in 29:59:56! Most exciting finish of the year. #WS100 pic.twitter.com/Nf24Mh3tRP | W/ only 4 seconds left, 70 y/o Swanson finishes @wser100 in 29:59:56! Most exciting finish of the year. #WS100 pic.twitter.com/Nf24Mh3tRP |
| Mrs Swanson described how she followed some runners who had accidentally taken a wrong turn which is what held her back but, thankfully, her friend, Dave, was on-hand to give her the confidence she needed to keep on as he directed her along the route. | Mrs Swanson described how she followed some runners who had accidentally taken a wrong turn which is what held her back but, thankfully, her friend, Dave, was on-hand to give her the confidence she needed to keep on as he directed her along the route. |
| Coming into the view of her friends and family at the finishing line, Mrs Swanson realised she only had seconds to go until she reached the finish line. | Coming into the view of her friends and family at the finishing line, Mrs Swanson realised she only had seconds to go until she reached the finish line. |
| With the crowd going wild when she crossed that line, Mrs Swanson said her excitement levels piqued upon hearing the roars for her, adding that the noise it was “overwhelming.” | With the crowd going wild when she crossed that line, Mrs Swanson said her excitement levels piqued upon hearing the roars for her, adding that the noise it was “overwhelming.” |
| This hasn’t been Mrs Swanson’s first sporting feat: the mother-of-four, who moved to Washington, D.C. from Germany in 1963, has been competing in ultramarathons since 1987. | This hasn’t been Mrs Swanson’s first sporting feat: the mother-of-four, who moved to Washington, D.C. from Germany in 1963, has been competing in ultramarathons since 1987. |
| She has run more than 260 races, 15 of which took place last year alone. | She has run more than 260 races, 15 of which took place last year alone. |
| Despite having clinched victory at the race, the grandmother insists she won’t be doing anything spectacular to celebrate: “No matter the distance, no matter what race it is, I love adventures. | |
| “I finished this sucker.” | “I finished this sucker.” |
| Watch the moment of 'victory': | Watch the moment of 'victory': |