Runway runner prepares for another race at age 79

For most of her life, Carol Thomas did not consider herself athletic. "The most running I ever did was running for the employee bus when I worked at O'Hare airport," she recalls. However, at 79, she is preparing to participate in her eighth World Airline Road Race (WARR) and her 47th race on a working runway.

Thomas explains how she developed a passion for running in such unique settings. "I had some orthopedic issues about 10 years ago and I got really great care from a local chiropractor," she says. "He was the captain of a running team, and each visit he would ask me to join the group. I told him that I don't run, but he kept asking me what size shirt I wanted! He was really my rock and inspiration for what I am able to do today."

She eventually joined the team and discovered an enjoyment for running and the camaraderie it offered. Working for American Airlines at O'Hare led her to find out about an American Airlines running club. "We did Hustle up the Hancock, road races, and the Run O'Hare event together which was great fun. That one was my first runway running event and I loved it."