82-year-old Aussie athlete sets his sights on world record, defying age with determination
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Inspiring stories of perseverance and determination often emerge from the world of sports, and one remarkable individual is making headlines with an ambitious goal.
An ultramarathon runner, at the age of 82, is setting his sights on breaking a world record, proving that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one’s passions.
As he trains for this extraordinary challenge, his journey captures the essence of dedication and resilience, motivating others to chase their dreams, regardless of their age.
At an age where many are content to take life at a leisurely pace, 82-year-old John Timms is lacing up his running shoes and setting his sights on a world record that would leave many of us breathless just thinking about it.
The Victorian ultramarathon runner is not only defying the expectations that come with age, but he's also proving that determination and passion can carry you far—literally.
John Timms is currently competing in the gruelling Australian Six-Day Ultra Marathon Festival in Adelaide, where he aims to cover an astonishing 100 kilometres each day.
As of Tuesday, October 1, Timms had already clocked in 132 kilometres, a testament to his incredible endurance and willpower.
‘I was hoping to run a world record, which is 536 kilometres for someone over 80 and it's held by an American,’ he said.
‘Over six days, that was my plan, to run 100km a day.’
‘I did it the first day [but] because I'm a cancer patient, the nerves in the leg where I had the radiation was affecting it a bit, and it took a while to straighten it out, so today I've had to climb out of the background a bit,’ Mr Timms added.
Timms, who is staying in his car during the six-day event, mentioned he was approximately ‘50-odd’ kilometres behind and intended to make up the distance ‘each day a little bit’.
‘It's run, eat, sleep; run, eat, sleep. I've done it for 40 years and thoroughly enjoy it,’ he shared.
Mr Timms is no stranger to record-breaking feats.
He proudly holds two Australian records for ultra runners over 80, including a 440.485 km run at the same six-day event in 2023 and a 177.84 km run over 48 hours at Thornton Park in 2022.
‘I'm pretty proud of that one,’ he remarked.
The annual festival, which began on Sunday, September 29, and features a public reservoir at its centre, is attracting an increasing number of international runners.
‘We've got runners from all over the world here, Japan, America, Korea. They're characters, all national heroes in their own right going for records,’ Mr Timms mentioned.
‘This is the toughest six-day race in the world.’
Although he aims for a world record, Timms stated that he runs purely for ‘enjoyment, simple as that’.
‘A lot of people live life, and they try something and [say] “Nah, couldn't do it,” but if you challenge yourself, you're capable of doing a lot more than you think,’ Mr Timms encouraged.
‘Whether it's playing a piano or music or whatever, it gives you [an] incentive to live life to the full.’
‘Health-wise, in my position, I should be dead,’ he added.
Timms mentioned that the medical professionals supporting him as a cancer patient stated his activities were benefiting him ‘immensely’.
October 1 marks International Day of Older Persons, featuring a Council of the Aging forum in Adelaide.
Veteran ABC presenter Geraldine Doogue, the event's lead speaker, stated that research indicates ‘regular social contact, often of a very ordinary nature’ contributes to people living longer ‘and flourishing’.
However, this doesn't imply that individuals need to ‘plunge into full-on engagement’.
Doogue mentioned that the interactions could be straightforward.
‘Often it's regularly going back to your centres and saying “Hello” to people, knowing they're going to be there, or the likelihood is they're going to be there, that's actually more durable, Ms Doogue explained.
‘That's the message I'm going to send today because that is the message coming regularly through from all the longitudinal research.’
As John Timms strives to achieve a remarkable world record in ultramarathon running at the age of 82, his determination echoes the spirit of many seniors who refuse to let age define their limits.
This resilience and pursuit of adventure remind us that life doesn’t slow down with age; instead, it opens the door to new experiences.
Similarly, another senior adventurer, at 93, has recently set her sights on her next thrilling endeavour, proving that the desire for excitement and challenge is ageless.
Both stories highlight the vibrant and adventurous spirit that seniors can embody, inspiring others to embrace life's opportunities, no matter their age.
So, to our members at the Seniors Discount Club, let John Timms' story be a source of motivation. Whether you're an aspiring athlete or simply looking to stay active in your community, remember that it's never too late to set a new goal or dream a new dream.
What challenges are you taking on in your life? What is your advice to others going through these challenges? Share your stories and tips, and let's celebrate the incredible potential that lies within each of us, no matter our age.
An ultramarathon runner, at the age of 82, is setting his sights on breaking a world record, proving that age is just a number when it comes to pursuing one’s passions.
As he trains for this extraordinary challenge, his journey captures the essence of dedication and resilience, motivating others to chase their dreams, regardless of their age.
At an age where many are content to take life at a leisurely pace, 82-year-old John Timms is lacing up his running shoes and setting his sights on a world record that would leave many of us breathless just thinking about it.
The Victorian ultramarathon runner is not only defying the expectations that come with age, but he's also proving that determination and passion can carry you far—literally.
John Timms is currently competing in the gruelling Australian Six-Day Ultra Marathon Festival in Adelaide, where he aims to cover an astonishing 100 kilometres each day.
At 82, ultramarathon runner John Timms is aiming for a world record at a six-day event in Adelaide. Credit: Facebook / ABC Adelaide
As of Tuesday, October 1, Timms had already clocked in 132 kilometres, a testament to his incredible endurance and willpower.
‘I was hoping to run a world record, which is 536 kilometres for someone over 80 and it's held by an American,’ he said.
‘Over six days, that was my plan, to run 100km a day.’
‘I did it the first day [but] because I'm a cancer patient, the nerves in the leg where I had the radiation was affecting it a bit, and it took a while to straighten it out, so today I've had to climb out of the background a bit,’ Mr Timms added.
Timms, who is staying in his car during the six-day event, mentioned he was approximately ‘50-odd’ kilometres behind and intended to make up the distance ‘each day a little bit’.
‘It's run, eat, sleep; run, eat, sleep. I've done it for 40 years and thoroughly enjoy it,’ he shared.
Mr Timms is no stranger to record-breaking feats.
He proudly holds two Australian records for ultra runners over 80, including a 440.485 km run at the same six-day event in 2023 and a 177.84 km run over 48 hours at Thornton Park in 2022.
‘I'm pretty proud of that one,’ he remarked.
The annual festival, which began on Sunday, September 29, and features a public reservoir at its centre, is attracting an increasing number of international runners.
‘We've got runners from all over the world here, Japan, America, Korea. They're characters, all national heroes in their own right going for records,’ Mr Timms mentioned.
‘This is the toughest six-day race in the world.’
Although he aims for a world record, Timms stated that he runs purely for ‘enjoyment, simple as that’.
‘A lot of people live life, and they try something and [say] “Nah, couldn't do it,” but if you challenge yourself, you're capable of doing a lot more than you think,’ Mr Timms encouraged.
‘Whether it's playing a piano or music or whatever, it gives you [an] incentive to live life to the full.’
‘Health-wise, in my position, I should be dead,’ he added.
Timms mentioned that the medical professionals supporting him as a cancer patient stated his activities were benefiting him ‘immensely’.
October 1 marks International Day of Older Persons, featuring a Council of the Aging forum in Adelaide.
Veteran ABC presenter Geraldine Doogue, the event's lead speaker, stated that research indicates ‘regular social contact, often of a very ordinary nature’ contributes to people living longer ‘and flourishing’.
However, this doesn't imply that individuals need to ‘plunge into full-on engagement’.
Doogue mentioned that the interactions could be straightforward.
‘Often it's regularly going back to your centres and saying “Hello” to people, knowing they're going to be there, or the likelihood is they're going to be there, that's actually more durable, Ms Doogue explained.
‘That's the message I'm going to send today because that is the message coming regularly through from all the longitudinal research.’
As John Timms strives to achieve a remarkable world record in ultramarathon running at the age of 82, his determination echoes the spirit of many seniors who refuse to let age define their limits.
This resilience and pursuit of adventure remind us that life doesn’t slow down with age; instead, it opens the door to new experiences.
Similarly, another senior adventurer, at 93, has recently set her sights on her next thrilling endeavour, proving that the desire for excitement and challenge is ageless.
Both stories highlight the vibrant and adventurous spirit that seniors can embody, inspiring others to embrace life's opportunities, no matter their age.
What challenges are you taking on in your life? What is your advice to others going through these challenges? Share your stories and tips, and let's celebrate the incredible potential that lies within each of us, no matter our age.
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