Meet Julia Hawkins, lovingly known as “the Hurricane,” a remarkable 107-year-old woman who refuses to let age define her abilities. In November 2021, at the age of 105, Julia set a new world record for the fastest 100-meter run at the Louisiana Senior Games, a prestigious competition for adults over 50. And now, at 107, she continues to amaze us with her incredible spirit and determination.
Reflecting on her journey, Julia shared that running wasn’t always a part of her life. In fact, it was one of her children who suggested she try the 100-yard dash in under 100 seconds when she turned 100. And guess what? She accomplished it in much less time! Her talent only grew from there.
At the recently held Louisiana Senior Games in 2021, Julia aimed to complete the dash in under a minute. Although she finished just over 62 seconds, she still considers it a remarkable achievement given the windy and cold weather conditions. What’s even more heartwarming is the presence of her old students cheering her on from the sidelines. These individuals, now in their 90s, were once fourth graders under Julia’s tutelage, a beautiful testament to her impact and longevity.
While Julia was a tad disappointed in not reaching her goal, she clinched the title for the fastest 100-meter dash in the 105+ years category. Winning came as no surprise to Julia or her family, who were elated by her historic feat and world record-breaking performance.
Reflecting on her success, Julia acknowledged that her accomplishment was possible partly due to the scarcity of older individuals actively participating in such events. She revealed, “When I started running, there were only a few, and they were not really athletes. Just older women trying to do something different. So I usually managed to beat the ones that weren’t really athletes.”
Beyond her passion for running, Julia finds joy in gardening and spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She cherishes the memories of her husband, Murray Hawkins, to whom she was married for an incredible 70 years before his passing. Julia fondly recalls their love story beginning in the early days when she was captivated by Murray’s intelligence and good looks, leading her to pen him down in her diary.
Their extraordinary love journey took an unusual turn when they got married eight years later over the telephone. At the time, Murray was stationed in Pearl Harbor during the devastating bombing, working for the Navy. Despite the distance, they sought approval to wed in Louisiana, and their request was granted. Julia reminisced, “So we were married by telephone.”
As Julia grows older, she imparts her wisdom to others, emphasizing the importance of seeking magic moments in life. These magical experiences could be as simple as witnessing a breathtaking sunrise, a captivating sunset, or the glimmer of a shooting star. She believes that such remarkable occurrences are worth cherishing and that one doesn’t need wealth to appreciate them. All they require is a keen eye and a watchful heart.
Julia Hawkins truly embodies the indomitable human spirit. Her story is an inspiration to people of all ages, reminding us that age is never a barrier to achieving greatness. We invite you to share your thoughts on this incredible woman and her accomplishments in the comments below.
