Hawkins became a darling of the track and field world when she took up running at 100 years old. She died in Baton Rouge, La., this week.

Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins, who became an inspiration for athletic feats in her second century of life, died Tuesday evening at St. James Place in Baton Rouge. She was 108.

Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins, the centenarian runner who took up the sport shortly after she turned 100 years old and set multiple 100-meter dash records for her age group, has died. She was 108.