'Anong karapatan kong tamarin?'

Marathoner Rosalinda Osimor, 79, started at 65 and is still crossing finish lines.

A 79-year-old runner is proving that age is no barrier to crossing the finish line.

Rosalinda Ogsimer recently completed the Runny Nose 2026 marathon, a medical advocacy fun run held in Intramuros on July 12. Photos of her running quickly circulated on Facebook, with many netizens marveling at her endurance.

“Lakas ni mother,” one user said, while another one said, “Anong karapatan kong tamarin?”

But behind the viral photos is a familiar face in the Philippine running community. Ogsimer has long been a fixture in marathons and fun runs, documenting her journey to more than 21,000 followers on Facebook.

Fellow runners say they often see her joining races alongside participants decades younger. “Si mader! Nakikita ko siya sa mga fun run. Nahihiya ako sumabay kasi ang bilis niya kahit senior na siya,” a commenter said.

In an interview with Pilipino Star Ngayon, Ogsimer said she only started running at the age of 65 after being encouraged by her eldest child. Since then, she has joined different races, many of them supporting charitable causes.

“Minsan, ang pinakamagandang takbo ay hindi tungkol sa oras o medalya—kundi sa mga buhay na natutulungan natin sa bawat hakbang,” she said in a Facebook post.

In November 2025, she represented the Philippines at the 10th Hong Kong Masters Athletics Championships, where she won four silver medals in the W75 category, open to those aged 75 to 79.

Despite years of racing, Ogsimer continues to train regularly, hoping to improve with every run while inspiring others to embrace an active lifestyle.

“To those starting their running journey: don’t compare, don’t rush, and don’t be afraid to begin at your own pace,” she said. “Consistency matters more than speed.”