Betty Lindberg, 91, sets world record for 800 meter in Atlanta

World, meet one of your likely new record-holders: 91-year-old Betty Lindberg, who according to the Atlanta Track Club had one thing to say when she found out she'd set a new time for the women's 800-meter, ages 90-94.

"Hot diggity!

"I’m just so amazed, I can’t believe it," she said, according to the ATC. "I was just thinking I’d be lucky if they didn’t turn off the lights while I was finishing!"

The ATC said Lindberg set the new record on Tuesday night, while competing at one of the club's track meets at Emory University. Her 6:57.56 time, which is pending ratification, bests the previous world record in her group by more than 1 second (Rosario Iglesias' time of 6:59.18, set in Brisbane, Australia.)

“I was very surprised,” Lindberg said, according to the ATC. “I had never even thought to check to see what the record was!”

Lindberg, who finished a 200-meter event a few weeks ago, will next run in the annual AJC Peachtree Road Race, according to the ATC.

Click here for five tips for training for the road race. And click here to learn more about the mental health benefits of running.

"There’s no telling what I might be able to do!" Lindberg said, according to the ATC. "I’m going to give it a try in the other stuff."

With one exception, she said: "I just don’t think I’ll do the pole vault or high jump."

About the Author

Editors' Picks