Over the years, these pages have brought to life the story of a Russion-born Chinese and traditional medicine practitioner who “found '' running in her mid-fifties.

That athlete, Raisa Kolesnikova, has now completed her sixth Marathon Major around the World — Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Unphased by the COVID pandemic, this determined lady pulled on her shoes and pounded the pavements at home, before returning to her mission and is now the proud bearer of all six medals

Now she is preparing for another massive undertaking. Raisa will represent Australia at the World Masters Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden next month. She is part of a 112 green-and-gold contingent racing against more than 8000 competitors aged from 35–100-years-old.

The ever optimistic “running lady”, says it is an honour she never anticipated when she began jogging around South Dubbo Oval at the age of 56.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Masters’, to compete with so many other athletes and enjoy the mix of people, abilities and cultures.

“It will be a challenge and is keeping me motivated to train hard and to be fit and healthy for life,” Raisa said.

Her pathway to the Masters and an Australian shirt, has come through personal training, competing in the Dubbo Stampede, City to Surf, Dubbo Zoofari and each week in the local Parkrun.

She extended her distances over the years but the marathon bug took-over in Canberra.

“To my delight, I received an official letter that I had qualified for the Boston Marathon.

“That cemented my love of the 42.2km journey on my feet, and I have now run many in Australia and around the world.”

Raisa reflected on her major achievement.

“Completing my Abbott Six Star World Marathons Major, was not something that I ever thought I could do, until I started, now I am in a select group who have run the six events. I am so proud of myself having completed each race in under four hours!”

Now she has adjusted her distance from marathons to a challenging program of middle-distance and “sprints”.

“At the Australian Master Championships earlier this year, I was rewarded with a silver medal in the 10,000-metres and bronze in both the 800-metres and 400-metres.

“I have been blown away by my success on the track in such a short time, especially over the shorter distances,” Raisa smiled.

“Emigrating from China 45 years ago, I would not have imagined that I could ever run a business and marathons,” shared Raisa.

“Now, to be able to represent my country, Australia, and join with 8000 world athletes, is one of the happiest and proudest things I have ever done.”

Raisa and her husband, Adam Carter, a chiropractor have run their businesses side-by-side over the past 35 years. Along the way they have reared three children, now adults making their way in the world.

“I call Australia my country; Dubbo my home,” she beamed.

You can follow Raisa’s progress or find out more information on the World Masters on the web site https://www.2024wmac.com/