Margret Betz Bio

[Ed. note: Since our own club membership continues to shy away from submitting monthly profiles, Betsy and I have decided to tell you about non-members who deserve the spotlight. Margret is an inspiration to all of us here in Central NY/Southern Tier. She comes to many of our races, and is "quite successful!" Next time you think you're over the hill at age 30, remember Betz's Bio.]

Margret Betz, age 64
Conkin, N.Y.
She is a member of the Triple Cities Runners Club in Binghamton.

Top U.S. Masters Age Group (F60-64) Performances 2000 (100 ranked):
(source: www.runningusa.org; click on masters records/rankings)

19. Margret Betz, 21:24, Avon/RRCA 5K, Liverpool, N.Y.; 10K equiv (44:33).

20. Margret Betz, 21:30, Chris Thater 5K, Binghamton, N.Y.; 10K equiv (44:46).

23. Margret Betz, 1:09:56, Boilermaker 15K, Utica, N.Y.; 10K equiv (45:19).

24. Margret Betz, 1:10:30, Forks XV (15K) Chenango Forks, N.Y., 10K equiv (45:41).

U.S. Single Age Road Racing Records owned by Betz:

(source: www.runningusa.org; click on masters records/rankings)

F64: 1:09:24, Stockade-athon 15K

F63: 1:07:46, Stockade-athon 15K

F62: 1:06:34, Boilermaker 15K

F62: 34:54, Hiawatha Heron Hustle 8K

F60: 1:04:42, Stockade-athon 15K (think this is also a F60-64 AR)

F59: 1:03:26, Stockade-athon 15K

F58: 1:02:05, Stockade-athon 15K

F58: 19:47, Syracuse Festival of Races 5K

Notable performances in 1999, 2000 and 2001

Forks XV (15K), Chenango Forks, March 2001: Masters overall champion (not just F60), at age 64, with a time of 69:46!!!

Fifth Avenue Mile, New York City, Sept. 2000, 2nd F60 in the George Sheehan senior mile: 6:21.

Empire State Summer Games 2000, Binghamton:

Gold medal F60, 800 meters, 2:58.

Gold medal F60, 400 meters, 79:05.

Syracuse Festival of Races, Oct. 2000, F60 winner: 21:35.

Kelly LaBare Memorial 5K, Endicott, June 1999: F60 winner, 21:05.

Freihofer's Run for Women 5K, Albany, June 1999: F60 winner, 21:02.

New England Runner magazine "Runner of the Year" F60-69: 1999 and 2000.

Running Times magazine Female Masters of the Year Honors F60-64: 3rd in 2000; 2nd in 1999; 1st in 1998.

Boilermaker 15K F60-69 Champion (money winner): 1:09:50 (2000); 1:06:31 (1999).

OTHER NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

Former USA Track & Field Masters Runner of the Year F55-59; and USA Track & Field Masters Runner of the Year F60-64 (not certain of exact years, once each).

Winner -- at age 56 -- of the F50-59 age division of the 1993 BAA Boston Marathon: 3:28:23.

-- Profile compiled by Diane Sherrer