For much of her adult life Edith Beek has been sidelined from sports, but this Saturday, aged 71, she’ll be lining up to compete in the HSBC Bermuda 10K.Running has become a way of life for Beek since she was inspired to compete in the Bermuda Day Half Marathon back in 1986. Although she did not complete the gruelling event that year, she returned in ’87 and made it to the finish line. Ever since she has been a regular in that race and at January’s international 10K.As a schoolgirl in 1958 she was running for the school bell and tried to jump two steps at once but ended up twisting her ankle. A medical examination found a cist and she was warned she would not be able to compete in sports for a ‘long time’. It was a blow for the youngster who loved a variety of sports at the time.When she was in her early 40s, Beek watched Bermuda’s famous May 24 road race as a spectator. “I thought to myself ‘I can do that,’” she said. In 1987, at her second attempt, she finished the race and raised funds for charity. She continued to raise funds as a competitor for many years.As a devoted churchgoer she does not race on Sundays, which limits her competitive outings to races held on public holidays and the 10K in January, which is always held on a Saturday.She enjoys running and sees no reason to stop. “I don’t like to sit down. I like to be on the go. Running keeps me young and makes me feel better. I listen to my nutritionist and eat organic, it all really builds my immune system,” she said.Beach running is a feature of Beek’s training as it has less impact on her joints. She added: “I’m always going to keep running with the Lord’s help. He’s brought me through a lot and makes me feel that I can do what I do.”