Fiona Matheson gives us all hope.

The 52-year-old did not take up running until the age of 41, a time when many serious athletes are starting to wind down their training. But this week, she has brought home gold for Team GB, by becoming cross-country world champion in her age category at the World Masters in Budapest.

Fiona clearly has immense talent and dedication, well beyond that of most fortysomething weekend runners, but her success allows others to dream. Running has become immensely popular across Scotland, with race meets taking place most weekends of the year, and its great benefit is its accessibility. Running is far more straightforward than most team sports, requiring only basic coordination and the bare minimum of kit, and runners can begin their exercise from the moment they step onto the pavement in front of their homes.

Matheson started running just for fun, which raises the intriguing possibility that there could be other unsuspecting novice runners out there in their 40s, 50s or even 60s, who might one day bring home more medals. And why not? Sporting glory is not only for the young.