While everyone hopes to celebrate as many birthdays as possible, there’s a significant difference between a long lifespan and what some experts call healthspan. The latter term refers to a sustained high quality of life into old age, including traits like mobility and mental clarity that are more common among younger people. But things are slightly different for Emma Maria Mazzenga, who continues to rack up world records for sprinting despite nearing her 100th birthday.

An Italian woman is still a track star in her 90s.

Most people in their 90s are rightfully thrilled if they can still manage to walk themselves to the grocery store or even make it up the stairs without assistance. But Mazenga, a 92-year-old former chemistry teacher from Padua, Italy, is still a bona fide track star.

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