100,000 steps at Hawkesbury Relay For Life
Heather is not your average 91 year old.
A Champion race walker, Heather, who has both Australian and World Records to her name is probably on a walk right now preparing for her next athletic competition.
Preparation for the 1.5, 3, 5, and 10 kilometre events keep her busy, and this month she is preparing to take part in her 15th Relay For Life in Hawkesbury on September 22 and 23.
During last year’s Relay Heather walked for the full 24 hours, racking up over 95,000 steps. This year Heather has set herself a greater challenge and giving much younger participants a run for their money by planning to walk 100,000 steps at the event. All the while, Heather will be fundraising in memory of her husband who died from cancer some years ago.
“His last dying words to me were, ‘now is the time to show your mettle,’” says Heather.
With Heather’s husband being both an inspiration and motivation to her, she feels that it is her duty to get out there and do whatever she can to support those affected by cancer, knowing that so many friends and loved ones do not have the chance.
Heather has been an avid supporter of Cancer Council for many years as a volunteer and this year as community ambassador for The March Charge challenge event.
Previously with a team at Relay for Life, Heather helped raise over $70,000 over several years. Nowadays, Heather takes on the Relay on her own and continues to fundraise for cancer every year.
Race challenges only started for Heather in 2001 after competing in her first City2Surf and getting hooked on the adrenaline rush at the finish line, this was followed by great successes in other Fun Runs like The Bridge Run and Mothers’ Day Classic.
However, Heather only took up race walking in 2011 at the age of 84 years after it was suggested that she compete in the Masters Games in Adelaide. She came home with four gold medals and proceeded, in 2012 to break all the Australian Records plus two World Records. Now at the age of 91 Heather has already broken more World Records in her age group.
Heather hopes that what she does will encourage others to join her, not just by donating but getting out there and being active as she believes that exercise, diet and a healthy lifestyle is a good way to prevent cancer.
“If there is anything that I can do and will produce funds for the Cancer Council then I’m always up for the challenge,” she says.
Join Heather at the 15th Hawkesbury Relay For Life, September 22-23 at Hawkesbury Showground https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/event/relay-for-life-hawkesbury-2018/
