When Roy Allen crosses the start line at this year’s Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend, it will mark more than just the completion of another five-kilometre race. At 100 years old, Allen is expected to become the first centenarian to officially walk the 5K event in Ottawa Race Weekend history. Roughly 38,000 participants are expected to take part in the annual tradition across all events, ranging from a kid’s marathon to a full marathon, but Allen’s story has quickly become one of the weekend’s most inspiring. “I set a fairly good pace,” Allen said while heading out for a training walk. Allen, who turned 100 on April 5, says the milestone birthday hasn’t changed much about how he lives his life. “Being 100 hasn’t made any difference in how I feel,” he said. “I get up every day, and I get dressed and have breakfast and go about my day, doing things.” Allen remains remarkably active. He dances, bowls, and recently even went snorkelling. Walking has become part of his daily routine as he prepares for the race. “At home, when I’m walking, I have to do laps to make five kilometres,” he explained. “I put five pins in my pocket and every time I do a lap, I put a pin in the other pocket.” Originally from Winnipeg, Allen has never participated in Ottawa Race Weekend before. The idea came from his daughter, Sarah Bercier, who is also the executive director of The Council on Aging of Ottawa. “He’s always been incredibly healthy. He’s just a freak of nature,” Bercier said, with a laugh. “He has all his original joints. There’s really nothing wrong with him.” Race organizers say Allen will be the only participant registered over the age of 100 to officially compete in the event. In 2023, 96-year-old Rejeanne Fairhead set a record for a 5K race completed by a woman between the ages of 95 and 99. While the accomplishment is historic, Allen says the walk is really about giving back. He is fundraising for four organizations that have supported him and his wife, Melba, over the years: The Council on Aging of Ottawa, The Dementia Society, Perley Health, and Gloucester 50+ Centre. Bercier said the organizations Allen is raising money for have been really helpful to him and his wife over the past 10 years. His wife Melba currently lives at Perley Health while living with dementia. “It’s a great relief,” Allen said. “We know she’s well looked after 24 hours a day, every day.” Bercier said the fundraising campaign highlights how different community organizations work together to support seniors and caregivers. The money that he raises will be split evenly between the four organizations and it will go directly to them, Bercier said. So far, Allen has raised more than $10,000, with supporters hoping that number continues to grow ahead of race weekend. Allen has done most of his training at the Place d’Orléans Shopping Centre, doing laps inside the mall. Each lap Allen walks at the mall is about 700 metres. Seven laps equal the full race distance he plans to complete this weekend. For Allen, the challenge is simple: if there’s an opportunity to accomplish something unique, why not take it? “Something that hadn’t been done, why wouldn’t I go and do it?” he said. “It’s an accomplishment.”
