Editor's Note: We've asked a select few athletes who we've featured on Purpose2Play to write about who inspires them. Up first is SaraMae Hollandsworth, a former college runner who lost her feet to sepsis, but became a more well-rounded athlete because of it. Our feature story on her was published in November of 2016. When I was asked to write [...]
In 1954, Roger Bannister did the impossible. Rather, what most felt was impossible. He was the first person to run a mile in under four minutes (his time was 3:59.4). Thousands attempted and failed to break the four-minute mark before Bannister actually did it, but once he demonstrated it could be done, a certain mental barrier was removed. Two months [...]
It's never too late to morph into someone new. Look no further than India's most famous 101-year-old, Man Kaur, who added 'athlete' to her identity when she began running at 94 years old. Now she's a gold medalist. Kaur won the 100-meter dash in 74 seconds at the World Masters Games in New Zealand on Monday. She also plans [...]
Editor’s note: Because Purpose2Play has been telling the stories of athletes, coaches, and fans for more than three years, we figure it’s about time to catch up with some of them to find out where they are now. As you’ll see, they’re still inspiring others and making the world a better place to live in. Where Are They Now? Catching [...]
He was the first and only person over 70 years old to break three hours in the marathon. In October, he set another world record at 85 by becoming the oldest person to ever run 26.2 miles in under four hours. It's with a heavy heart we have to report that Ed Whitlock, who turned 86 last week, passed away [...]
There's Yankees v. Red Sox, Ali v. Frazier, and Carolina v. Duke. Add Orville Rogers, 99, and Dixon Hemphill, 92, to that list of great rivalries. The two sprinters (yes, sprinters) competed against each other in last weekend's Masters Indoor Track Championships. Even though he's seven years older, Rogers edged out Hemphill by 0.05 seconds in the 60-meter race. “I [...]
Photo courtesy of BethAnn Telford By Kim Constantinesco One might assume that fighting brain cancer for 13 years would drain every ounce of energy in one's body. Not for BethAnn Telford, who actually has an increase in stamina because of her battle. Case in point: She just ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Yes, [...]
Photo: Kensington Palace Who would you peg the winner in a footrace? Prince William or Prince Harry? Or would you go for the dark horse, Princess Kate? The royal trio laced up on Sunday and toed the start line to raise money for Heads Together, their charity which aims to end the stigma surrounding mental illness, and encourages [...]
Think running seven marathons on seven continents in seven days is crazy? Well, 32 people jumped at the opportunity in late January. Michael Wardian, 42, was one of those folks, and he didn't just complete the World Marathon Challenge. He set a new world record. Competitors took on 26.2 miles in Antarctica, Chile, Miami, Madrid, Morocco, Dubai, and Australia. Wardian, [...]
Photo: runacrossamerica/Instagram After four months of nearly non-stop running, George Chmiel completed his epic run across America on Tuesday. The 35-year-old ran 3,031 miles from San Diego to New York City to honor and support U.S. military service men and women while raising awareness surrounding mental health issues faced by veterans. His run was filled to the brim [...]