Since power-walking her way into the "Guinness Book of World Records," Gladys "Glady" Burrill has drawn quite a bit of attention.
She’s been the subject of national media stories, was recognized by the Hawaii Legislature and, come Thursday, she’ll hold a place in the Honolulu Marathon’s Hall of Fame Opens in a new tab.
But some of the 93-year-old’s most rewarding moments come from the acknowledgement of folks simply sharing her path on her daily walks.
"People recognize me now and they tell me how much I’ve encouraged them," Burrill said, "and it’s emotional for me to think in my little way I can encourage someone."
Burrill entered the record books last December by completing the Honolulu Marathon at age 92, making her the oldest woman to finish a marathon.
She covered the 26.2-mile course in 9 hours, 53 minutes and 16 seconds, reaching the finish line at Kapiolani Park for the fifth time in seven attempts since entering her first marathon in 2004 at 86.
Burrill’s latest honor comes Thursday when she’s inducted into the marathon’s Hall of Fame at the Hawaii Convention Center. The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. in conjunction with the Honolulu Marathon Expo, which opens today.
"She’s very inspiring," race president Dr. Jim Barahal said. "As amazing as it was, it became a worldwide story and we’ve gotten feedback from a number of people about how much she inspired them and encouraged people to go out and do marathons or other races."
Burrill, who splits her time between living in Waikiki and Prospect, Ore. Opens in a new tab, won’t go for her sixth marathon finish on Sunday, but is entered in the 10-kilometer Race Day Walk to help raise funds for the Lokahi Caring Project. The 10-kilometer walk begins at about 5:25 a.m. and takes participants from the marathon’s starting line on Ala Moana Boulevard to Kapiolani Park.
She said taking another shot at the marathon is tempting, but felt she could do more by helping the Lokahi program, which aids struggling individuals and families.
Burrill was born in 1918 on a farm in southern Washington and her father died on her second birthday, leaving her mother to raise six children with little means. So assisting Lokahi became a priority, "because I know what it’s like to live in poverty."
"I feel a lot of emotion to it and it’s what I need to do, help families in need."
She persevered through the early hardships and eventually helped run a successful lumber company with her husband in Oregon and maintained an active lifestyle throughout her life.
During a visit to Oahu in December 2003, she woke to the sound of the fireworks display accompanying the start of the marathon. The show sparked her interest in participating in the event and she completed the race each of the next four years.
After two years without a finish, she decided to test herself again in the spring of 2010.
"Last year I had to prove to myself that I could do another marathon," she said. "So we did two 26 miles in April. I knew then I could do it again."
She continues to walk regularly, logging 50 miles three weeks ago and another 35 last week, relishing each chance encounter along the way.
"The aloha spirit is so wonderful here and there has been so much support from everybody," she said.
