Wendy Alexis, a 70-year-old sprinter from Ottawa, has achieved remarkable feats by breaking records in track and field competitions. At the 2025 Ottawa Summer Twilight #8 meet, she clocked an impressive 14.64 seconds in the 100 meters race for the women’s 70-year-old category, solidifying her position as the fastest woman in her age group globally.
Alexis, a retired teacher and a mother of two with two grandchildren and one more on the way, approaches racing with a competitive spirit and a passion for setting new records. She describes the exhilarating feeling of freedom while running and competing against athletes much younger than her, often reminiscing about the joy of running as a child.
Despite facing a career-threatening injury at 19 that led to double-shin surgery and being told she would never run again, Alexis made a remarkable comeback to the track nearly 30 years later. Encouraged by her grandson, she rekindled her love for sprinting and has since dedicated herself to rigorous training and competition, participating in events worldwide and even standing in as the fourth sprinter in an all-men’s relay team at the World Masters Championships.
Maintaining a disciplined routine that includes track training, weight training, and deep water running, Alexis invests around 25 hours per week into her athletic pursuits. She emphasizes the importance of physical conditioning and credits her support team, including her physiotherapist, for enabling her to perform at her best.
Alexis’s advice to those hesitant about pursuing their dreams due to age is simple: “Just do it.” She believes that while adjustments may be necessary with age, the drive and passion for one’s goals remain constant. For Alexis, running is not just a sport but a lifelong passion that she intends to pursue indefinitely, fueled by her unwavering determination and love for the track.