Heather Turland created a great impression after running seriously for just a couple of seasons.

Recovering from a broken leg after being hit by a motorcycle early in 1998, Heather became Australia’s oldest ever female track and field representative at the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games at the age of 38.

She produced one of the great stories of the Games when she won the marathon at just her third attempt at the event. She was greeted at the finish line by her four children.

Image credit: Mike Egerton/Getty Images