[UPDATED] ‘Granny Luces’ lived by national watchwords

BELOVED long-distance runner Granny Luces has died. She was 93.

Luces, who suffered a stroke in October, died at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex on Thursday morning.

Luces is popularly known for participating and completing long-distance races throughout TT and the world. She got involved in the sport at a late age making her marathon debut in 1984, and since then, she has been a favourite among spectators and competitors. Luces, who stopped running regularly when she was in her mid-80s, became a staple on the local running circuit as people would eagerly anticipate her participation at events. The Granny Luces Classic event was named in her honour.

Luces has been recognised for her achievements in running as she received the Hummingbird Medal Gold in 2013. Calypsonian De Alberto also composed a song paying tribute to Luces. The lyrics include, “I fraid Granny, I fraid Granny, I fraid Granny pass me on the highway.”

The song continues, “Granny Luces, Granny Luces, Granny Luces is the best.”

In 2017, Luces had a huge celebration for her 90th birthday with family and friends. At the time of her 90th birthday Luces had ten children, 33 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

At her 90th birthday celebrations, Luces said she always took pride in representing TT.

Luces said she never thought she would be so popular.

“I never thought of that (being popular), all that was in my brain was to run.”

In 2017 she was still willing to run. “I have not planned to run any races (coming up), but if I get an invitation even now to run I will run. I just like it.”

Luces, who at the time felt like she was in her early forties, said her trust in God has been an important part of her life. “I always read the Bible and I always sing songs for the Lord. When I was little, my grandmother always use to carry me to church and she always sang hymns and she always spoke about the Lord, so to me the Lord is important.” Five family members visited Newsday on Thursday including grandchildren Paulette Lucess-Baptiste, Lyndon Griffith, Sheldon Lucess, Mandy Lucess and daughter Joyce Lucess.

Sheldon said his grandmother instilled the values of discipline, tolerance and production. “She always kept talking about discipline, how important it is to have discipline and she always use to say keep doing the right thing,” Sheldon said.

Granny Luces made her marathon debut in her fifties, but Sheldon said in her early days she demonstrated ability. “When she was younger she used to go buy stuff if her mother send her for stuff in the shop. She use to run and come back quick...she never knew that she was a runner and an athlete until she got older.”

Granny Luces grew up in Maracas, St Joseph but spent most of her life in San Juan. Sheldon used to accompany his grandmother at the end of her marathon runs. “When she reach in San Juan in the Croisee I use to pick up the marathon from there. I use to run from there to Port of Spain at the finish line.”

He added, “I use to pour water on her head. She use to say, ‘Wet me with the water.’”

Granny Luces was known for running barefoot, something Sheldon would be concerned about. “I use to be worried about how she running barefooted on the road...I use to be running in front to make sure it don’t have any bottle on the road.”

Paulette, a former top women’s runner, said, “She is everything to me : a mother, my best friend.”

Lyndon also followed in the footsteps of his grandmother, focusing on shorter distances such as the 5K and 10K events. Lyndon and Paulette both said Granny Luces always taught them about God, encouraging them to read the bible and to live life positively. Granny Luces also taught them the value of education.

This story was originally published with the title "Granny Luces dies at 93" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

BELOVED long-distance runner Granny Luces has died. She was 93.

Luces was popularly known for participating and completing long-distance races throughout Trinidad and Tobago and the world.

She got involved in the sport at a late age, making her marathon debut in 1984, and since then, had been a favourite among spectators and competitors.

Luces was recognised for her achievements in runningand received the Hummingbird Medal Gold in 2013.

In 2017, Luces had a huge celebration for her 90th birthday with family and friends. At the time she had ten children, 33 gran children and 18 great-grandchildren.