Page 16 - Waterfall City Issue 10 October 2024

Waterfall City News

ANNE CENTNER

Breaking barriers and records at 80+

A t an age when most people events like the Kalahari Augrabies widespread admiration from fans,

are winding down, Anne
Extreme Marathon – a self-sufficient
peers, and family. While the latter
Centner, a Waterfall Hills
initially thought her athletic pursuits
250km run over seven days, which she
Mature Lifestyle Estate
resident, is speeding up – and completed at 67. Anne’s adventurous were “mad,” they now fully support
her endeavours and celebrate her
spirit has always driven her to push
breaking world records while she’s at the boundaries, but she insists, “I’m achievements.
it. This remarkable athlete recently competitive, but only with myself.”
stunned the world with her double “I don’t have a coach; I just
gold medal victories at the World After undergoing double knee do what feels right”
Masters Athletics Championships in replacement surgery, Anne transitioned What makes Anne’s accomplishments
Gothenburg, Sweden in August 2024. from running to race walking – a sport even more impressive is her approach
that came naturally to her. Little did she to training. “I don’t have a coach. My
Competing in the 80-85 age category, know it would lead to world record- training depends on how I feel when I
Anne won gold in both the 10km breaking performances. wake up. Some days, it’s weights; other
and 5km race walking events and days, it’s a 10km walk,” she says.
shattered two world records. Her The World Masters Athletics
times? An incredible 71 minutes Championships Anne’s philosophy is to listen to her
and 55 seconds for the 10km and These biennial events showcase the body and do what feels right without
34 minutes and 34.5 seconds for the talents of athletes aged 35 and older adhering to strict schedules. It’s an
5km. At 80 years old, Anne is proving from across the globe. Competing approach that works, as she continues
that age is just a number. against other top athletes in the 80-85 to thrive in race walking.
age group, Anne made headlines with
A late start, but no limits her stunning victories in Sweden. These Anne, a vegetarian for nearly four
Anne started her athletics journey at events highlight the competitive spirit decades, credits her simple diet –
63 while living in the scenic town of of older athletes who continue to excel raw vegetables, yoghurt, and dairy
Knysna, where estuaries and mountains in their respective fields long after most – for keeping her in top form. “I eat
inspired her. “I began running simply to would consider retiring. what makes me feel good,” she says,
enjoy it,” Anne recalls. Over the years, emphasising that it’s not about strict
this led her to compete in everything Anne’s success in Gothenburg has rules but understanding what her body
from marathons to extreme endurance brought her personal pride and needs.

14 Waterfall City Issue 10 2024