Saskatoon Senior Athlete Proves Age Is Just a Number With Record-Breaking Run
In an inspiring display of determination and physical prowess, 70-year-old Lynne Wawryk-Epp of Saskatoon has become the fastest Canadian woman in the 70-74 age group to run an indoor mile. Her remarkable achievement at the Sanderson Classic track and field event on January 10, 2026, demonstrates that athletic excellence knows no age limits.
From Smoking to Sprinting: A Lifelong Transformation
Wawryk-Epp's journey to record-breaking status began decades ago when she made a pivotal lifestyle change at age 22. "I quit smoking and I honestly just started running. It was crazy. I just sort of swapped one in for the other," she recalled of her decision as a newlywed graduate student at the University of British Columbia. This initial shift launched what would become a lifelong passion for endurance sports, including:
- Decades of road races and marathons
- Long-distance cross-country ski competitions
- Extended bicycle trips across challenging terrain
Late Start to Competitive Track Running
What makes Wawryk-Epp's story particularly remarkable is that she didn't begin competitive track running until age 64. "It's been a real big learning curve for me, because track running is so, so different from road running — the pacing ... because they're so much shorter than a road race," she explained of her transition to shorter distances like 400, 800, and 1,500-meter events.
Historic Record-Breaking Performance
At the Saskatoon Field House during the University of Saskatchewan's Sanderson Classic, Wawryk-Epp accomplished what she had been training for: breaking the 19-year Canadian record for the indoor mile in her age category. She surpassed Ontario's Jean Horne's previous record of 7:20:42 by more than eight seconds, completing the 1.6-kilometer distance in 7:12:28.
"I was going into that race really hoping to get it, like I thought I could get it," Wawryk-Epp said of her mindset before the historic run. Her determination was particularly strong after narrowly missing another record the previous night in the 800-meter event.
International Success and Continued Achievement
Wawryk-Epp's recent accomplishments extend beyond her latest record. In 2025, she captured national gold medals in the 400, 800, and 1,500 meters in Laval, Quebec. Her international achievements include winning a bronze medal in the 1,500 meters at the World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland in 2023, an event she attended immediately after competing in a masters cross-country ski event in Austria.
"And I was blown away. I was shocked. So that set me on fire," she said of her unexpected podium finish in Poland. The experience also introduced her to the vibrant community of masters athletes, including competitors in their 80s and 90s still running competitive 200-meter races.
Training and Future Potential
As a member of Saskatoon's Running Wild Athletics Club, Wawryk-Epp maintains a rigorous training schedule that continues to yield impressive results. According to Bob Reindl, executive director of Saskatchewan Athletics, her recent performances suggest she has the potential to break additional Canadian records in the 800 and 1,500 meters.
Her approach to athletic achievement remains refreshingly balanced. Last year, she captured the Canadian record for the outdoor mile in her age group immediately after completing a 220-kilometer bicycle trip in Quebec. "I wasn't on my top game, I can tell you that, but I managed to snag it," she said with characteristic humility and laughter.
For Wawryk-Epp, running represents more than just competition. "Running is my therapy," she has said, encapsulating the profound personal significance of her athletic journey. Her story serves as powerful inspiration for athletes of all ages, proving that with dedication and passion, remarkable achievements are possible at any stage of life.
