Julia Hawkins, also known as “Hurricane,” was a remarkable centenarian who captured the hearts of many. With her trademark flower behind her ear, Julia began running at age 100. She became a symbol of hope and determination for people of all ages, especially seniors, showing that it’s never too late to start something new.
Julia’s journey started as a simple family challenge from her children, they signed her up for her first race in 2016, a 50-meter dash, just to see how fast she could go. Despite never having competed on a track, Julia stunned everyone by completing the race in 19 seconds. She won her age group by default, as she was the only competitor over 100 years old!
This first taste of track sparked a passion in Julia, who went on to set national and world records across the country. In the 100-meter dash, she clocked 39.62 seconds in the 100+ age group in 2017 and later set a record in the over-105 age group with a 1-minute-2.95-second finish in 2021. Julia’s achievements led officials to create a new category just for her “the 105+ age category” making her the oldest known woman to compete in a U.S. sanctioned track event.
Her achievements inspired senior athletes everywhere and set an example of what staying active and positive can achieve, even in later years.
Beyond her racing legacy, Julia’s family made a touching decision after her passing at 108 years old. They donated her body to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana for longevity research. This act was a tribute to her life and an inspiring step towards helping others live longer and healthier lives.
Julia shared a secret to her long and fulfilling life was “marrying a good man” and “staying passionate about things that brought her joy like running, caring for bonsai trees and pets”.
For caregivers and senior clients, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of staying engaged, cherishing the small things, and embracing new challenges. As we remember Julia Hawkins, her legacy lives on, encouraging us all to create our own “magic moments” every day.
