Veteran Sheffield runner is crowned fastest woman aged over 65

Last weekend a British Masters ‘Virtual’ Road Relays team gold award was emailed to Dot and her fellow Steel City Striders Carol Beattie and Kate Waddicor, with team reserve Helen Eberlin also nailing a ‘national class’ performance in the age 70-plus category.

More than 4,000 British Masters runners, aged from 35-plus to 75-plus took part.

Usually the national relays see hordes of runners on a real-life race course.

However, social distancing this year meant athletes had to run a 5km on their own, logged on running apps like Strava or similar, and then submit their results.

However, Dot does not run with her glasses on.

After carefully mapping out the route beforehand, or so she thought, she says: “I ran my heart out, and got a smashing time.

“However, I didn’t check the distance properly until I got home.”She put on her reading glasses, and saw the full Strava readout…

“Oh,” she said, “40 metres short.

“So I had to do it again two days later, as I also had a European 10km to run at the weekend.”

Although her second run was slower, her colleagues Carol and Kate ran good times, and the Sheffield women came out top.

They finished ahead of Winchester, with another Sheffield women’s 65-plus team, from Totley, finishing in third place.

Carol says: “It was quite strange to do a race on my own.

“However, it was a nice thought that all over the country several thousand people were doing the same.”

Kate, who has just started competing with the Steel City Striders, says: “It is great to be part of a supportive running club.

“I love being part of a team of inspirational women and feel proud to have been part of this winning team.”

Tim Holt, Striders run organiser, says: “When you turn up to a cross-country race and it’s freezing cold and the course is half-flooded, sometimes you just want to go home.

“However, if your female team-mates in their 60s and 70s are there, kitted up, race face on, you check yourself and get a grip.

“They’re great role models for all of us.”

Dot says: “Covid-19 has put some pretty regrettable stereotypes on the elderly, that they’re vulnerable, largely sedentary and should keep out of harm’s way.

“However, I see lots of older women out walking, running and cycling.

“Being active challenges those stereotypes.

“The idea we should all be sitting in our house fearful of Covid doesn’t sit well with me.”

She is now preparing for next month’s World Masters (Virtual) 10km.

“That was going to be in Toronto,” says Dot.

“However, I think I’m going to be running it at Rother Valley.”

Steel City Striders describes itself as ‘the friendlist running club in Sheffield’.

It was first formed in summer 1982.

According to the Striders website – steelcitystriders.co.uk – after viewing a 1982 Sheffield Marathon video, Richard Hnat, who owned a sports shop on Infirmary Road, Hillsborough, invited people to set up steering committee, following a surge in interest in long-distance and marathon running.

A spokesman said: “ The steering committee met on July 20 at the Faces nightclub on Charles Street.

“Richard’s vision and drive together with John Rothwell, who was to become a renowned club member, gave birth to what has now become a special club with loads of special people.”