Spirited Barbara Prymakowska outperformed other retirees in the over 60 category of the race after climbing the summit of Kasprowy Wierch to 1,986 meters above sea level in 1:45.
Barbara Prymakowska / Facebook
A 78-year-old grandmother confirmed her place as “the world’s fastest grandmother” after covering 7.8 km from the town of Zakopane to the top of the Tatra Mountains Kasprowy Wierch in just under two hours.
Coach Barbara Prymakowska from Tarnów eclipsed other retirees in the over 60 category of the race after climbing to the summit at 1,986 meters above sea level in 1h45.
The retired sports teacher said she was “on top of the world”.
Speaking to Gazeta Krakowska after the race, the retired sports teacher said: “I was very scared of snow but luckily there was none. Last year the storm was such that the caps blew our heads off.
“Now the weather was perfect. It is true that I was running on one lung but with a smile on my face and the joy when I reached the finish line was enormous.
His victory comes just weeks after winning gold in the over 75 category of the Schlickeralmlauf / 20th Masters Mountain Running World Championships.
This is the 10th time that Prymakowska has competed in this race and it comes only a few weeks after winning gold in the over 75 category of the Schlickeralmlauf / 20th Masters Mountain Running World Championships.
Previous achievements include the conquest of Mont Blanc, the end of all major world marathons (Tokyo, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, London, New York) and participation in skiing events.
In addition to conquering Mont Blanc, the 78-year-old has also completed all the major world marathons (Tokyo, Boston, Chicago, Berlin, London, New York).
Born in 1943 in Żółkiew near Lviv in pre-war Poland, after studying at the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow, she became a physical education teacher and passionate about skiing.
But it wasn’t until she was in her 50s that she started running marathons – and, as she wrote on her Facebook page, “caught the marathon bug.”
When not running a marathon or climbing a mountain, Prymakowska enjoys skiing.
At 58, she ran her first marathon with an encouraging time of 4 hours and 31 minutes. On her second attempt, she managed to gain 20 minutes and was convinced that running was for her.
After her success in cross-country running, she began to compete in cross-country skiing events across Europe.
She attributes her good health to sleep and does not follow a special diet but eats a lot of fruits and vegetables.
