And the last shall be first.
At least it sure seemed that way Monday morning at the 50th annual Chattanooga Chase event in Riverview. All but one of the 812 entrants having completed either the 8-kilometer race, 1-mile fun run or both long before 89-year-old Jane Ensign neared the finish line in the fun run, the stage was suddenly and rightfully hers alone.
At that moment, anyone and everyone within sight of the finish line began to cheer loudly and clap as Ensign – with the aid of a walker – moved briskly toward the giant inflatable arc that signaled the race’s end. Exactly 26 minutes and nine seconds after she took her first steps, she completed her race, presumably setting a Tennessee state record for her age.
“It’s easy to break a record if you’re the only one out there,” Ensign said with a grin.
Said her 49-year-old son, Peter: “She tried to run, but I wouldn’t let her.”