Johnnie Reid, a 62-year-old African American sprinter from Naples, Florida, has set a new national record at the National Senior Games in the 60–64 age group, completing the 100 meters in just 13.6 seconds.
Reid, who works at the State Attorney’s Office in Naples, is no stranger to breaking records. In 2023, she clocked 50 meters in 7.36 seconds, a record she surpassed last week in Iowa with a new time of 7.23 seconds.
A former high school track runner, Reid rediscovered her passion for the sport at age 50 after a friend encouraged her to enter the Senior Games in Fort Myers.
“One race was all it took to reignite my love for the sport,” she said, reflecting on her journey from an “empty nest” mom to a record-setting athlete.
Her success comes from disciplined training and a willingness to adapt. Just weeks before competing in Kentucky this year, Reid corrected her starting block technique after advice from a friend and guidance from YouTube videos. The adjustment—exploding out of the blocks, staying low, and maximizing arm drive—helped shave crucial fractions of a second off her times.
Outside of sprinting, Reid also competes in shot put and javelin. Her weekly training schedule balances sprint drills, throwing practice, and strength conditioning, including plyometric exercises like box jumps and lunges.
Reid credits much of her drive to the remarkable athletes she has met through the Senior Games. “The seniors I’ve met there are amazing—they’ve become my heroes and ‘she-roes,’” she said.
Her advice to aspiring athletes of any age is direct: believe it, visualize it, and work toward it:
“My personal mantra was, ‘I am the fastest woman in my age group,’ and I worked until it became my reality.”
Reid’s accomplishment is proof that athletic excellence doesn’t have to fade with age. She shares her journey and training updates on Instagram at @NubianTF60.
