WATCH: 90-year-old Italian sprinter breaks world record in the 200 meters (again).

On Sunday, Emma Maria Mazzenga, 90, from Padua, Italy, claimed another world record in the W90+ category, clocking 51.47 seconds in the outdoor 200 meters in San Biagio di Callalta, Treviso, Italy, breaking the previous world record by one minute and 48 seconds . (Mazzenga broke the indoor record in January, running 54.47 during a meet in Veneto, Italy.)

Aging with grace and courage

In an interview with ReutersMazzenga said that after taking a 20-year break from running to raise her children, she returned to the sport at the age of 53 and began her promising career as a masters athlete. Over the past 37 years, she has collected five world records, nine European records and 28 Italian records in various categories.

Mazzenga made it look easy to tackle such a feat, as she confidently cruised around the track as if she were warming up. You have to see this to believe it.

Mazzenga crossed the finish line with a big grin and hardly any sweat. “I’m very happy and satisfied, and also a bit surprised, because I didn’t think I was going that fast,” she said after the race.

Benefits of “blue zones”

Mazzenga lives in Italy, known for its high life expectancy, especially in Sardinia, one of the four ‘blue zones’ in the world (regions of the world where a greater number of people live longer than the expected average). The other three blue zones are Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica) and Ikaria (Greece).

Japanese Emiko Saito set the previous world record in the 200 meters in the W90+ category in 2022, with 53.35 seconds. (Japan, like Italy, is known for its high life expectancy: 84.95 for all genders, according to World meter. Experts claim this is because they prioritize ‘Moais’ – a small, close-knit social circle that supports a healthy mental state throughout life, into old age.)

WATCH: 91-year-old Italian woman races to world record in the 200 meters in the age category

Friends and wine: good for the soles of the feet

For Mazzenga, that is sprinting more than just a sport. It’s a way Unpleasant stay connected. Running “allowed me to always be surrounded by lots of people, so I was never alone,” she said in her interview with Reuters. This social interaction, especially the laughter it bringsis found improve mental well-being and increase life expectancy of the population in Italy.

Mazzenga said she usually enjoys having a beer with other runners to celebrate her success. Interestingly, one study found that average alcohol consumption in Sardinia is similar to that of Padua, where lifespan is slightly lower, suggesting that, if not the possible protective benefits of alcohol consumption, at least a neutral effect on lifespan in that region can be seen.

Running to reduce stress

For Mazzenga, running is also a powerful tool in dealing with stress. “It’s helped me through some tough times, which of course haven’t happened in a life as long as mine,” she said. While completely avoiding stress is impossible, experts say finding ways to manage it improves longevity. Although Mazzenga reportedly strives for perfection in her training, she maintains a healthy balance outside of running, including friendships, leisure time and regular physical activity.

It is remarkable that Mazzenga’s average finishing time in the 200 meters only gets faster as she gets older. She plans to finish the year strong before her 91st birthday and race in the Italian championships in June, although, Mazzenga joked, she prefers “not to make long-term plans.”