AT the Australian Masters Athletics (AMA) championships, WA representative Kalamunda’s Barbara Blurton brought home medals for all three events she raced in.

Mrs Blurton ran the 100m, 200m and 400m for the women’s 75-79 group and placed first in all three races.

“I have to say, I’ve been there before and done it before.

“But just going into a new age group, it gives you a new impetus to get back up to the top,” she said.

Mrs Blurton said she was reasonably confident before the event.

“I think that helps quench the nerves a little bit if you can be confident going into something.”

Mrs Blurton said she played field hockey when she was younger and still lived in the UK.

She said the experience contributed to her talent with athletics.

When she started to lose interest in the sport in her late 30s, she met her husband who was into running.

“I started running around the streets with him when we were living in London and then someone told me about masters athletics.

“I suppose from my hockey background I was used to sprinting backwards and forwards rather than just going out for a long-distance run.”

Now 75, Mrs Blurton said she’s had to cut back on training but age hasn’t stopped her from continuing her sport.

“I think everybody finds that as they get older, you can continue to train at quite a high level and compete at quite a high level, but you do have to take age into account.

“The body just needs a little bit more rest,” she said.

Breaking the world record numerous times was a key highlight for her.

“When I was in Melbourne in my mid-40s, I did set the world record for the women’s 45 (group) 800m,” she said.

“In fact, I set it twice.

“And in 2020, I set the (women’s) 70 400m world record three times.”

Mrs Blurton said she’s looking forward to upcoming races with the Oceania championships in September and the world championships in August next year.

With the world races being held in South Korea, Mrs Blurton said travelling is one of her favourite parts about running.   

“That’s been one of the most exciting things about it, that you see places you would never dream of going to,” she said.