Vibrantly Grey

Opinion | All that is true about aging is illuminated on a walk We work, love and help others as best we can, gawk at nature, rest. Is that it? Pretty much.

I'm continuing my theme of indomitable athletes in their 80s (and there's more to come yet, folks!) Here's Dorothy Fraser, 87, racing to victory as the lone competitor in her age group, in the women's , at Lee Valley Athletics Centre last weekend during the The BMAF British Masters Athletics Federation indoor . Dorothy holds the of 57.14secs for this event in the 85-89 year old age group, a time she achieved last year at the world indoor championships in Torun, Poland. (She also holds the 200m British record of 37.38secs for the 75-79 year old age group.)
Dot, as she is known, is a much-loved regular at all the national and international events, travelling with her group of friends, all, like her, remarkable athletes and human beings themselves. These are close-knit friends who have supported each other across the decades through illnesses, injuries and bereavements - something they of course continue to do now. Sport may have brought them records and medals but it's the deep and enduring friendships across a long lifetime, as well as the warm camaraderie within the broader masters athletics community, that they will all point to as being the gifts it brings that they treasure above all else.
I would like to add that Dot also makes wonderful cakes 🍰(And yes, this is the voice of grateful experience speaking😋) So thank you Dot for being great to photograph, great to spend time with, and for being not just a world-class athlete but a generous and gifted cake-maker too! Oh, and of course, another role-model par excellence, for how to navigate our ninth decade with kindness, fortitude, courage and grace 🙏🌻(She'll hate me for saying this, so, sorry Dot. But it's all true 👍👏💕)