Senior, 93, takes third place in race against competitors nearly half his age

At 93, Lou Billinkoff isn't slowing down. He's speeding up.

The lanky Winnipeg senior placed third in a weekend provincial masters track-and-field championship when he ran 100 metres in 28.29 seconds — shaving more than a second off his time last year. 

"I would have been very disappointed if it took me longer than last year," laughed Billinkoff. 

The competitors who beat Billinkoff at the Manitoba Age Class Championships at the University of Manitoba were nearly half his age. 

First place went to a 58-year-old man, who ran the 100-metre in 13.68 seconds, while in second was a 50-year-old at 14.81 seconds. Billinkoff came in third.

Andy Tough, who runs Stride Ahead Tough Track, the local club that hosted the meet for Athletics Manitoba says he admires Billinkoff's drive and determination.

Lou Billinkoff says running in track competitions at 93, 'nothing special.'

8 years ago

Duration 1:29

At the age of 93, Lou Billinkoff is the talk of the track. This past weekend he competed in the Manitoba Age Class Championships at the University of Manitoba. He ran 100 metres in 28.29 seconds.

"I think he's great. If he can do it, why not? I am 50 and he inspires me to race," said Tough. "And the young kids see him racing and cheer him on, it's quite something."

This isn't the first time Tough has seen Billinkoff compete.

Last year, the 93-year-old runner ran for the first time, clocking in at 29.54 seconds for the 100 metre. Tough says the senior showed up with a whole cheering squad. 

"At first I thought is this a bucket list thing, to do the 100 metre?" said Tough. "But then I see he is back again this year. It's obvious he takes its seriously and takes pride in it."

Billinkoff took up running five years ago after suffering a mild heart attack. He began by walking the track at the Reh-fit Centre, a medical fitness facility, and soon moved onto running.

He says he was never interested in sports or working out, but running made him feel better than he'd felt in years. 

"I was agile as a kid and loved to climb trees. When I was an engineer, I used to love jumping up stairs two at a time when I was in buildings, but that's about it,"said Billinkoff.

The senior credits his running ability to good genes and luck. 

"I am one of the luckiest people in the world," he said. "I have good health. I have a wife who looks after me very well and watches my diet. I have family that makes me happy. I have a good life. Luck is the answer."

Billinkoff doesn't know if he broke any provincial record on the weekend. Athletics Manitoba says it doesn't keep records for masters athletes. 

But he's hoping his luck will put him on top of the Canadian masters two years from now. He'll be 95.

"I know I can beat it and if I can do what I am doing today, when I am 95 I will have that record," he said.