Julia Hawkins, Centenarian Sprinter, Dies at 108

Known as “Hurricane” among her peers, Hawkins achieved incredible milestones in her later years.

Her daughter, Margaret Matens, reported Hawkins’ passing at an assisted living center and shared that her mother had arranged for her body to be donated to Louisiana State University’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, which is conducting studies on longevity.

Inspired by her children, Hawkins began running at 100. They encouraged her to join the 2016 Louisiana Senior Olympic Games, where she finished the 50-meter dash in just over 19 seconds.

A former competitive cyclist, Hawkins found a new passion in track and field and went on to break records in the 100 meters over the next several years.

At the 2017 National Senior Games, she clocked 30.62 seconds, setting a world record for women over 100.

She later achieved another record in the women-over-105 category, running 1:02.95 at the 2021 Louisiana Senior Games.

Hawkins was celebrated as the first American woman to establish an age-group record for those over 105, according to the National Senior Games Association.

In a 2017 interview, Hawkins expressed confidence in her ability, noting that her active lifestyle, including running to answer the phone, kept her agile.

Before moving to assisted living, she trained in the yard of her long-time home, running in lanes her son marked out with ribbons.

Known not only for her athletic achievements but also for her spirit, Hawkins biked almost daily in her neighborhood and relished the independence that running offered her.

She once remarked, “With running, it’s just me and my body... I can just go out and do the best I can.” Her achievements and resilience inspired many, as she shared in 2017 that, while not perfect, she still felt young at heart, saying, “I feel about 60 or 70. Nothing stops me.”

Julia Hawkins’ legacy reminds us all that age is no limit to passion, resilience, and the pursuit of new dreams.