Karen races for silver in the generation games
A 63-YEAR-OLD runner proved age is just a number when she took on a woman half her age in a 60m sprint.
Karen Conduit was joined by fellow ‘silver sprinters’ at the Old Or Not Old Games in Manchester’s Albert Square.
She competed against Christine Leathley, 69, and Katie Ogden, 33, to at the event, which aimed to challenge the perception of old people.
The retiree took up running at the age of 50 after taking part in a series of charity fun runs.
She ‘got the running bug’ and signed up to Rochdale Harriers on the couch to 10K training programme.
Karen has since completed a couple of marathons, half marathons and numerous 10Ks.
She now enjoys running with the club twice a week, as well as longer runs on Sundays with friends.
Karen was presented with a medal by threetime Olympic medalist Kriss Akabusi and sport presenter Damian Johnson.
Kriss said: “The Amplifon Old Or Not Old Games prove it’s all about adding life to your years, not just years to your life. All our runners are fantastic examples of a new generation of older people who want to continue living the life they love and stay active into their 60s, 70s and beyond.”
The games were organised by hearing specialist Amplifon, in a bid to challenge public perceptions of ageing and celebrate over 60s who enjoy living life to the full.
Daniela Cantale, marketing director at Amplifon, added: “Our ‘silver sprinters’ represent just a handful of the over 60s who are redefining what it means to grow older in 2018. This new generation is positive about the future and wants to continue taking part in the activities and pastimes they’ve always enjoyed.
“They understand that good hearing is key to maintaining an active social and working life and are keen to embrace the hearing technology that can help them achieve this.
“We want the new generation to continue doing the things they love and to rediscover the joys of sound – not to be held back by hearing loss.”