Award ceremony Sarah Roberts

It is my great pleasure to introduce the 2025 World Masters Athletics Best Female Athlete, Sarah Roberts of Great Britain.

Sarah’s achievements during 2025 have been nothing short of extraordinary. Competing in the W75 age group, she set nine World Masters Athletics records: six outdoor records in the 800m, 1500m, mile, 3000m, 5000m, and 10,000m, and three indoor records in the 800m, 1500m, and 3000m. She also earned ten world number one rankings and claimed four gold medals at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Gainesville, winning the 400m, 800m, 1500m, and 3000m, all in championship-record performances.

What makes Sarah’s story even more inspiring is that she only began running recreationally at the age of 67 and did not start track competition until she was 72. She notes that receiving this award demonstrates that a late start in athletics need not be a barrier to achieving the highest honor. Among her many accomplishments, she is especially proud of setting world records in both the mile and the 10,000m on the same day, with the mile being the first she had ever raced.

Sarah’s success is built on dedication, consistent training, the support of her club, Dacorum Athletics, and a genuine love for the friendships and camaraderie that athletics brings. Looking ahead, she remains motivated to continue competing and hopes to challenge new records in the W80 age group.

Please join me in congratulating an athlete whose remarkable achievements and inspiring journey embody the very best of Masters Athletics, the 2025 WMA Best Female Athlete, Sarah Roberts. (John Seto)