At 97 years old, Grace Chambers has just cemented her place in Parkrun history. On Saturday, the Belfast native became Europe’s oldest participant to reach the 250-run milestone, completing a 5k course at Ormeau Park in south Belfast.
Remarkably, she achieved the feat only four weeks after undergoing heart surgery.
“I feel glad I’ve done it, as there was always a possibility that I wouldn’t,” Chambers said after finishing. “But I never look negatively at things. If I set a goal I try to achieve it—and if I don’t do it the first time, I try again and again and again.”
A Late Start That Sparked a Legacy
Chambers didn’t begin her Parkrun journey until 2016, when a member of her rehabilitation team suggested it. With a nudge from her daughter, she joined Ormeau Parkrun in her 80s—and quickly became a fixture.
“Everyone kept saying: ‘This woman in her 80s has turned up thinking she can do a parkrun.’ Well, I certainly showed them,” she recalled with a laugh.
In her first year, she broke several age-category records. More importantly, she fell in love with the weekly event.
“I just love it—all the people you meet, it’s wonderful. People from all over Northern Ireland come and mix at Parkrun, and you wouldn’t have had people from all the communities mixing like that when I was growing up.”
Running Through Adversity
Neither the Covid-19 pandemic nor personal setbacks kept Chambers away from her passion. When Parkruns were suspended in 2020, she ran the 5k on her own and recorded her times, later sending them to organisers.
“I’ve probably done a lot more than 250 Parkruns, but the ones during Covid don’t count,” she said.
She even bounced back from a broken leg suffered during lockdown walks. And now, just weeks after a keyhole valve replacement performed by Dr. Jonny Mailey at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital, she was back at the Ormeau start line.
“I told the surgeon I was going to test out his work,” Chambers said. “I’ve got a new valve, why would I not use it?”
Dr. Mailey joined her at the finish line, calling her achievement “fantastic” and “a testament to her as a person.”
Friends, Fans, and a Bench Named Grace
Chambers credits much of her consistency to her friends Cathy and Sue, who help her around the course each week. “I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said.
Her local fame has grown, too. Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes once ran alongside her—though Chambers admits she told the double gold medalist to pick up the pace. “Kelly wanted to talk as we were going round, so I had to say, ‘Come on, Kelly, you’re holding me back.”
At Ormeau Park, her regular presence is immortalized with “Grace’s Bench,” a seat at the finish line marked with a plaque that reads “Park runner extraordinaire.” After each race, she’s often seen sitting on it, posing for photos with fellow runners and fans.
Volunteer director Deirdre McConvey described Chambers as a “local legend.” “Her warmth and friendliness has endeared her to all the regulars who love to cheer her over the finish line, especially on her birthday,” she said. “Her grit and determination are definitely inspiring and sometimes quite humbling.”
Even local politicians have taken notice. South Belfast MP Claire Hanna, also a Parkrunner, congratulated Chambers, calling her “an inspiration to so many.”
A Reluctant Hero
Despite the applause, Chambers insists she doesn’t see what all the fuss is about.
“So what!” she said when asked about her milestone. “Many people do much more remarkable things than this. But if it inspires some people to start running, then that’s great. I just hope I get a good time on Saturday with everyone watching me.”
The Bigger Picture
Parkrun, the global series of free, weekly 5k events, has long been praised for its accessibility. Participants range from elite runners to parents with strollers, walkers, and people recovering from illness or injury.
Chambers’ story underscores the event’s inclusivity. Her milestone highlights how community, persistence, and joy can make running less about speed and more about connection.
At 97, Chambers isn’t chasing records—she’s proving that determination and companionship can keep you moving, no matter your age.