Runner 77 years old crawled after running 217 km
In the last meters at the harsh Ultra Marathon Badwater 135 performed from July 11-13, Bob Becker (77 years old) was no longer enough to run. He had to use both hands and legs to crawl under the road to create a "bear style". The medical team and other Runner also gathered on both sides of the road, applauding Becker's efforts.
When he reached the destination, he showed a happy smile, thanked and hugged those who encouraged him. "Although not recognized as the one who completed the race, he left in our hearts an unforgettable image when running 217 km through the hottest place on the planet," said athlete Harvey Lewis later. When witnessing Mr. Becker's journey.
Mr. Becker knew the Badwater in 2007 and then started to learn about the long history of the same and the running roads of the tournament. "I like the harshness of this place, from the distance, heat to the height," Mr. Becker recalled. In 2015, to celebrate the 70th birthday, the veteran Runner was determined to create a milestone in his long -distance career by joining Badwater Ultramarathon.
"I like to return to this tournament every year and try to become the oldest person to complete the race. I cried like a child after finishing here in 2017, it was an unforgettable moment ", the old man said.
Badwater 135 is known as one of the most severe Ultra Marathon in the world with the starting point of Badwater Basin located in the dead valley, which marks the lowest point in North America with a height of -85 m compared to the water level. sea. Meanwhile, the destination of the race is located at Whitney Portal, a trail leading to Whitney Mountain with an altitude of up to 3,962 m. The athletes will have to run through the sandy beaches, continuous high mountains, and face a continuous temperature change and especially the burning heat throughout the journey.
Bob Becker started running in 2002, when he was 57 years old. After joining a running group, Mr. Becker met the standard to attend the Boston Marathon. "I practiced with the top runner, where it was a strong community and it inspired me. I love running and want to compete in the tournament," he shared.
Three years later, he decided to celebrate the 60th birthday by participating in the Marathon des Sables with a 250 km long route. Similar to Badwater 135, Marathon des Sables is like one of the hardest running for runner. "We practice together, then join in the Sahara desert in Morocco. It was a great running," Runner 77 years old tells about his first Ultra Marathon.
Two weeks after the trip to Morocco, Mr. Becker had surgery and took 8 months to recover. In January 2006, just a few months after training again, he discovered himself with prostate cancer and had surgery to remove the tumor. 5 months after the surgery, "old man" officially returned to the track when running 80 km in Grand Teton National Park.
As of 2022, this older leg has participated in Badwater 5 times and held the record for the oldest person to complete the race.
