At 93 Heather Lee is making the most of lockdown at her Richmond home. COVID-19 restrictions may have clipped the wings of the Australian and World Champion speed walker but she still walked a half marathon to raise money for the Cancer Council last month.
Despite having the weekend to finish the Do It For Cancer challenge, Heather walked 10.5kms by 8am on Saturday, went home to do some housework, saw her daughter and then returned to finish the marathon in the afternoon, completing 21.1km in a day.
She has been supporting the Cancer Council for over 20 years since her husband Leonard died from lung cancer.
His last words to her were, ‘Now is the time to show your mettle.’.
She has. Heather started speed walking in her 80s and breaking records.
She was a crowd favourite at the annual Hawkesbury Relay For Life and in 2018 clocked up more than 100,000 steps at the event.
In October 2019, Heather captured two world records at the Australian Masters Games and at her last major meet in January this year at Wollongong she claimed her eighth Australian record and her sixth world record.
She has managed to train three times a week, and also uses a treadmill at home which she doesn’t like.
She can’t wait to compete again.
“I am trying to think positive. Every month is important when you are my age.”
Last year she was named NSW Senior Citizen of the Year and this week she is featured in the Australian Women’s Weekly in its Strong Women feature.
Her Do it For Cancer fundraising has topped the $2000 mark. Heather’s fundraising page is: www.doitforcancer.com.au/heather
