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First-time racer, 80, beats Tely 10 record

80-year-old Nora Connors wanted to do more than just pass the finish line at the 89th running of the Tely 10 road race on Sunday — she wanted to break the record for her age category. And she did.

Nora Connors succeeds in beating record while runner Kate Bazeley scores best time

Eighty-year-old Nora Connors wanted to do more than just pass the finish line at the 89th running of the Tely 10 road race on Sunday — she wanted to break the record for her age category. And she did. 

The octogenarian from Northern Bay Sands beat out the previous record of 2:31:35 set by Winnifred Glover with a time of 2:20:59. 

"Oh my God, oh my God. You can't explain the feeling — I made it, I made it! It's hard to explain," Connors told CBC from the finish line.

80-year-old Nora Connors achieved her goal of being the fastest ever in her age group. She was cheered on by 80 supporters and fellow racers. (Andrew Sampson/CBC)

Connors said she set the goal for herself last year on her 79th birthday. 

"I said to my daughters, 'I think I'm going to do the Tely 10 when I get 80,' so of course they've encouraged me ever since."

When asked if she plans to race again next year, Connors didn't hesitate.

"Please God, I'll work on it. I feel sure that I will."

Hundreds of fans lined streets along the race route to cheer on participants. (Andrew Sampson/CBC)

Nearly 5,000 runners registered to run in the race that takes competitors through Paradise, Mount Pearl and St. John's. 

Colin Fewer and Kate Bazeley scored Sunday's top spots.  Fewer came in first with a time of 50:26 while Bazeley set a women's record with a  time of 55:34.

Bazeley topped the previous women's overall record of 55:47 set by Nicola Will in 1986.

"It felt amazing because I broke that record that's been haunting me," said Bazeley. 

"It wasn't until coming down the home stretch that I knew I had it, and I was so happy," she said.

It's an amazing feeling.- Colin Fewer, men's winner

Back in 2012, Fewer set a record in the 35 to 39 age category after completing the race with a time of 49:43. 

Fewer said it was an exhilarating experience after taking a year off due to injury. 

"Spiritually, it's an amazing feeling," he said. 

"You've got all this positive energy just cheering for you — it carries you through the finish line." 

With files from Andrew Sampson