On Sunday, Emma Maria Mazzenga, 90, from Padua, Italy, claimed another world record in the W90+ category, clocking 51.47 seconds over 200m outdoors in San Biagio di Callalta, Treviso, Italy, breaking the previous world record by a minute and 48 seconds. (Mazzenga broke the indoor record in January, running 54.47 at a meet in Veneto, Italy.)
Aging with grace and grit
In an interview with Reuters, Mazzenga shared that after taking a 20-year hiatus from running to raise her children, she returned to the sport at 53, beginning her promising career as a master’s athlete. Over the last 37 years, she has accumulated five world records, nine European records and 28 Italian records in various categories.
Mazzenga made tackling such a feat look easy, confidently cruising around the track like she was warming up. You need to see this to believe it.
Mazzenga crossed the finish line with a big grin, barely breaking a sweat. “I am very happy and satisfied, and also a bit surprised, because I didn’t think I went that fast,” she said post-race.
Benefits of “blue zones”
Mazzenga lives in Italy, known for its high life expectancy, particularly in Sardinia, one of the world’s four “blue zones” (regions of the world that have a higher number of individuals who live longer than the expected average). The other three blue zones include Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica) and Ikaria (Greece).
Japan’s Emiko Saito set the previous world record for the 200m in the W90+ category in 2022, running 53.35 seconds. (Japan, like Italy, is known for its high life expectancy–84.95 across genders, according to Worldometer. Experts argue this is because they prioritize “Moais”–a small, tightly knit social circle that supports a healthy mental state throughout life, which extends into old age.)
WATCH: 91-year-old Italian woman speeds to age-group 200m world record
Friends and wine: good for the soles
For Mazzenga, sprinting is more than just a sport. It’s a way to stay connected. Running “allowed me always to be surrounded by a lot of people, so that I was never alone,” she said in her interview with Reuters. This social interaction, particularly the laughter it brings, has been found to improve mental well-being and increase the life expectancy of populations in Italy.
Mazzenga shared that she typically enjoys grabbing beers with fellow runners to celebrate her success. Interestingly, one study found that the average alcohol intake in Sardinia is equal to that of Padua, where longevity is slightly lower, indicating, if not the possible protective benefits of alcohol consumption, at least a neutral effect on longevity in that region.
Running to reduce stress
Running has also been a powerful tool for Mazzenga in managing stress. “It got me through some difficult times, which of course haven’t been lacking in a life as long as mine,” she shared. While complete avoidance of stress is impossible, experts say finding ways to cope improves longevity. While Mazzenga reportedly strives for perfection in her training, outside of running, she maintains a healthy balance, including friendships, leisure and regular physical activity.
Remarkably, Mazzenga’s average finishing time in the 200m is only getting faster as she ages. Before her 91st birthday, she plans to finish the year off strong and race in June’s Italian championships, although, Mazzenga joked, she prefers “not to make long-term plans.”
