Wright set a world record in the 100-meter dash for his age group, running the race in 26.34 seconds, the fastest time ever for a 100-year-old, NJ.com reports. 

“If you’re going to go out to run a race, you should really run the race to try to win,” the New Jersey native said before the start of the event, according to Fox 29. “I don’t know how you can run to be second or third.”

According to People, Wright’s grandson, John Wall, said their entire family is supporting him.

“Everybody is elated,” Wall told Fox 29. “They’re excited he’s doing it. They want to be part of it.”

Wright attributes his motivation to his wife, who he met while in high school; both ran track and competed in events in the late 1930s. After returning from World War II, he opened a dental lab with his wife and continued to run for the next 70 years, according to Fox 29.

“My wife tells me finish your race. I think it will be a wonderful legacy for my children, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren,” Wright said.

“It was pretty nice to be able to do this at age 100,” Wright added, according to the Asbury Park Press. “When I came here I was a little bit nervous, but when I saw the crowd and everything I fell right in with it.”

Surprisingly, Wright had not ran for three years before the race due to an illness.

“I think it’s in the head, more than it is physical,” he told Fox 29, adding that he wasn’t tired after the race and could do it again.