The Ottawa running community is mourning the loss of one of its own. Canadian masters runner Rejeanne Fairhead died last weekend at the age of 98.
Fairhead was a trailblazer in Canadian women’s masters running, redefining what it means to inspire a community. At Ottawa Race Weekend in 2023, at the age of 96, Fairhead shattered the 5K world record for the women’s 95–99 age category by four minutes, finishing in 51 minutes and nine seconds.
Through her race, she also raised thousands of dollars for Perley Health, a long-term care home where she had volunteered for over 20 years, which she also called home.
Born in Saskatchewan on Dec. 12, 1926, Fairhead moved to Ottawa in her early 20s and remained there for the rest of her life. Her husband served in the military, and she worked for the federal government before choosing to stay home to raise their six children. In addition to her large family, she had 12 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A total of 20 family members walked or ran alongside her when she set the world record.
Fairhead’s record-breaking run in 2023 surpassed the mark set by American Betty Lindberg at the Atlanta Peachtree 5K during the Peachtree Marathon Weekend in February 2022. Lindberg had completed the distance in 55 minutes and 48 seconds at the age of 97.
Fairhead never considered herself an athlete, and she only decided to participate in the event after a friend at Perley Rideau Seniors’ Village encouraged her to try the 5K during Ottawa’s annual race weekend. In her first race, she finished in 58 minutes and 52 seconds, setting a Canadian record in the women’s 95+ age category. Learning she was only about three minutes shy of the world record, she dedicated herself to training and smashed her time the following year.
Despite her accomplishments, Fairhead remained lighthearted, often saying her secret to running fast was simply staying busy.
Run Ottawa, the organization behind Ottawa Race Weekend, expressed sadness at the news of Fairhead’s death in a social media post: “Her dedication and achievements touched countless lives—whether through her fundraising for the Perley Health Foundation or her record-breaking 5K performance in the women’s 95–99 age category at Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. She truly was an inspiration to so many.”
I’m very sad to learn of the passing of Rejeanne Fairhead, a wonderful woman and a true inspiration. Rejeanne was well known in the Ottawa running community, especially after she shattered the 5k world record for the women’s 95-99 age category at Ottawa Race Weekend. But it… pic.twitter.com/447ntRQxbK
— Mark Sutcliffe (@_MarkSutcliffe) March 17, 2025
Ottawa’s mayor, Mark Sutcliffe, also shared a tribute: “I’m very sad to learn of the passing of Rejeanne Fairhead, a wonderful woman and a true inspiration. Rejeanne was well known in the Ottawa running community, especially after she shattered the 5K world record for the women’s 95–99 age category at Ottawa Race Weekend. But it wasn’t just about breaking records; Rejeanne believed in giving back, raising thousands of dollars for Perley Health, where she volunteered for more than 20 years. I had a great chat with her there a few months ago. Thank you, Rejeanne, for everything you’ve done for our community. You’re a hero and an inspiration.”
