Angela Jimenez’s new book, Racing Age, explores a level of athleticism that many may not know was possible: competitive masters track & field for those athletes aged sixty and over. Jimenez, a former collegiate track & field multi-event athlete, has spent the last nine years traveling across the United States and Europe, photographing 81-year-olds jumping hurdles, 87-year-olds throwing discuses, and 76-year-olds pole vaulting. "Because they defy visual stereotypes, these athletes surprise us," she said. "They are not weak, or vulnerable, or just cute: they are fierce and competitive. It is inspiring and brave, but can also be scary to see an older person push the body to its limits."
Winning the Race Against Time
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A senior long jumper competes in the 80-84-year-old age division at the 2007 World Masters Championships Stadia (track and field competition) at Riccione Stadium in Riccione, Italy on September 6, 2007. Some 9,000 male and female athletes over the age of 35 and from 90 countries competed in two weeks of track and field events at the 17th annual event. The event is run by the World Association of Masters Athletes, the organization designated by the IAAF (The International Association of Athletics Federations) to conduct the worldwide sport of masters athletics. The organization runs competitions and maintains record standings in the five-year increment age divisions. #
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Masters track and field heptathlete Christel Donley, 80, of Colorado Springs, Colorado falls during the 80-meter hurdles against Flo Meiler, 81, of Shelburne, Vermont, the first event of the W80 combined events, or heptathlon, on August 4, 2015 at the Laurent Gérin stadium in Venissieux, France during the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships. Donley got up and finished the race, and the heptathlon. Meiler won and broke the W80 world record. The Championships, which include track and field events (as well as race walking, marathon, cross country, half marathon and combined events) were held at multiple locations in Lyon, France from August 4 through 16, 2015. #
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Masters track and field athlete David Yepa, Sr., 74, of Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico competes in the 1500-meters at the National Senior Games, at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. July, 2015. #
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Masters track and field athlete Orville Rogers, 98, of Texas, poses for a photo on the medal stand at the USATF Masters Indoor Nationals at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. March, 2016. Rogers, who was the only competitor in his M95 age group, won the 60, 200, 400, 800, and 1500 meters. #
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Pengxue Su, 87, of China, the oldest decathlete (and the only competitor in the 85-89 age division) competes in the discus, the second event on the second day of the men's combined events, or decathlon, on August 6, 2015 at the Balmont Duchère stadium in Lyon, France during the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships. #
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Axel Magnusson, 86, of Sweden, is photographed while competing in the 85-89 age bracket men's long jump during the 2007 World Masters Championships Stadia (track and field competition) at Riccione Stadium in Riccione, Italy on September 6, 2007. #
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Masters track and field triple jumper Manuel GarcÌa Carbajo, 72, of Spain, stretches between jumps at the World Masters Athletics Championship at the Stade du Rhône in Lyon, France on August 9, 2015. #
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Masters track and field heptathlete Margaritha Daehler-Stettler, 67, of Switzerland runs down the runway of the long jump, the first event on the second day of the 65-69 age division women's combined events, or heptathlon, on August 5, 2015 at the Laurent Gérin stadium in Venissieux, France during the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships. #
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Masters track and field athletes in the M80 and M85+ divisions of the men's decathlon stand ready for the start of the 1500 meters, the final event on the second day of the men's combined events on August 6, 2015 at the Balmont Duchère stadium in Lyon, France during the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships. #
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Don Isett, 76, of Anna, Texas wins the M75 pole vault with a vault of 3.01/9'10 1/4" at the National Senior Games at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 8, 2015. #
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Flo Meiler, 81, of Shelburne, Vermont, left, crosses the finish line of the 800 meters, the final (and painful) event of the second day, ahead of Christel Donley, right, 80, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, winning the 80-84 age division of the women's combined events, or heptathlon, and setting a new (pending, awaiting ratification) W80 world record on August 5, 2015 at the Laurent Gérin stadium in Venissieux, France during the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships. Meiler's score of 5730 broke the published existing world record of 4623 points in the W80 division, set by Johnnye Valien of California. Donley, who finished second with 5135 points had also broken the record with a performance earlier in 2015. The two women were the only competitors in their age division. #
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An official and family members escort masters track and field athlete Seymour "Sid" Duckman, 88, of Florida, from the field after he high jumped .90 meters/ 2í 9.5î at the 2007 National Senior Games, held at the University of Louisville's Cardinal Park Soccer & Track Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky on June 28, 2007. Sid, who survived colon cancer in his late 60s, prostate cancer at 72 and kidney cancer at 80, had just undergone his 11th chemotherapy treatment for lung cancer. "I'm a mess," he said. "But I don't quit." Sid died in 2011. The event was sponsored by the National Senior Games Association, established in 1986, which oversees 50 state and 350 local and regional competitions for senior athletes in the United States each year. There are an estimated 250,000 senior athletes in training in the U.S. #
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Masters track and field athlete Kathy Bergen, 75, of California, competes in the discus at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota at the National Senior Games on July 9, 2015. #
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W65 masters track and field heptathletes Ingeborg Zorzi, of Italy, left, and Terhi Kikkonen, of Finland congratulate each other at the 200-meter finish line, the end of the first day of the women's combined events, or heptathlon, on August 4, 2015 at the Laurent Gérin stadium in Venissieux, France, during the 2015 World Masters Athletics Championships. #
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Johnnye Valien, 82, of Los Angeles, California, is photographed competing in the 80-84 age bracket women's shot put during the 2007 World Masters Championships Stadia (track and field competition) at Misano Adriatico Stadium in Misano Adriatico, Italy, on September 7, 2007. 9,000 male and female athletes over the age of 35 from 90 countries competed in two weeks of track and field events at the 17th annual event. #
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Masters track and field athletes run in the M85 55-meter dash at the USATF Masters Indoor Nationals at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center in Boston, Massachusetts on February 23, 2008. #
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Manuel Gonzalez Muòoz, 95, of Veracruz, Mexico, is photographed after finishing second in the 95+ age bracket men's 100 meter finals during the 2007 World Masters Championships Stadia (track and field competition) at Riccione Stadium in Riccione, Italy on September 7, 2007. #
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