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Amazing Grace (90) hailed as 'inspiration' as she completes tough Stormont parkrun

Grace Chambers finished Stormont parkrun with her friend Cathy Craig and volunteer Elaine Campbell
Grace Chambers finished Stormont parkrun with her friend Cathy Craig and volunteer Elaine Campbell Grace Chambers finished Stormont parkrun with her friend Cathy Craig and volunteer Elaine Campbell

A VETERAN runner has been praised as an inspiration after becoming the first nonagenarian to complete Stormont parkrun on one of the year's hottest days.

Grace Chambers, who turned 90 on Friday, tackled Stormont's challenging, undulating, trail course alongside 312 others.

With morning temperatures reaching the mid-twenties, Grace was cheered across the finish line at the 5k run, which welcomed visitors from Australia and the Bahamas.

Parkrun events take place every Saturday, typically in pleasant parkland surroundings, and are free and open to everyone.

Waterworks in north Belfast was the first to launch in November 2010 and the number of events across Ireland has spiralled. There are 26 in the north and 77 in the Republic.

Grace is a regular at Ormeau in Belfast, but has been enjoying some tourism while her home run has been cancelled due to Belsonic concerts.

Speaking at the finish, she said Stormont was the toughest she had ever done. With a time of 46:22, she recorded the third best score ever in the event's `age graded league' as well as setting a 90-94 category record.

While getting her breath back, surrounded by friends, she shared a novel idea - senior parkrun for over 65s, that would operate the same as 2k junior events, which are held on Sundays for 4-14-year olds.

Stormont parkrun event director Mel Boyle led the praise.

"Grace is an inspiration and demonstrates that age is no barrier to participation. Parkrun truly is for everyone, regardless of age or ability - from 4 right up to 90 and beyond," he said.