Elderly woman's naughty poster at marathon has runners chuckling: 'Who is this Diva'

“Age is just a number.” This popular saying has resonated with countless people who’ve defied expectations and lived life to the fullest. From climbing towering mountains to swimming across vast oceans and cycling for hours on end, older adults have shattered world records and inspired us all. What’s more, these individuals often share an undeniable zest for life, proving that age doesn’t have to limit what we can achieve. That same spirit was on full display recently when a 104-year-old woman showed up at a marathon to cheer on her fellow runners. While she wasn’t running the marathon herself, she still managed to steal the show—and leave everyone laughing—with her hilarious poster. The woman, affectionately called “granny” by TikTok personality Ross Smith (@rosssmith) and his 24.5 million followers, was spotted holding up a witty sign that read, "Run if you think I'm sexy."

A viral video captured the woman lifting the spirits of marathoners with her playful antics. Known for her funny moments with her grandson, the grandmother stood by the roadside, cheering on runners with her quirky sense of humor. As the participants raced by, they couldn’t help but notice her loud cheers and playful remarks. “Thank you! Thank you! So kind of you. I appreciate it,” she was heard saying, all while standing in the opposite direction of the runners. Even though she faced away from the crowd and couldn’t see much of what was written on her poster, many runners couldn’t help but smile at her infectious energy.

As the 104-year-old held up her witty poster, she swayed gently from side to side, playfully revealing it to the runners and ending their suspense. While some marathoners stayed focused on their race, others couldn’t help but grin at her antics. The grandmother clearly relished being surrounded by the energy of the young participants, proving that age is no barrier to joy and enthusiasm. Her excitement was contagious, and her encouragement reminded everyone to seize the moment and go for the win. Her act of kindness and humor earned her widespread praise on social media, with many applauding her for bringing smiles to the athletes’ faces.

The video has racked up an impressive 98.4 million views since it was first shared in November last year. Among the countless reactions to it, @sunghoonhaschicks wrote, “I love the way she’s showing the sign in the wrong way because they can’t see it when they are in front.” “I would stop, read the sign, and sprint lol,” @purplebean13 jokingly added. “She (the granny) made her own happiness,” @m4hm3d.06 remarked. Several others hailed the elderly woman for inspiring them, with @emminreallife going so far as to refer to her as an “icon.” This was not the first time she pulled off the viral moment. Another video showed the granny motivating American football players by holding a similar poster, bringing momentary joy to a tense game.

You can follow Ross Smith (@rosssmith) on TikTok for more wholesome and funny content.