Oct 11, 2006 11:23 pm US/Mountain
78-Year-Old Runner Laces Up For Denver Marathon
by Alan Gionet
DENVER (CBS4) ―
The Denver Marathon, which will debut as Colorado's largest marathon, is attracting runners of all skill levels including one who proves you're never too old to lace up those running shoes.
Betty Willis was bitten by the running bug at age 53 and ran her first marathon in 1981 in Denver.
Now at 78, Willis is training to run the half marathon on Sunday in downtown Denver. While she'll have to walk part of the course, Willis said running is something she'll do as long as her body allows.
"To keep me from getting old and feeble," Willis said.
Willis has won dozens of trophies and even more medals over the last 25 years of running. Her most special award was the First Place cup for women 50 and over.
"It's the one that inspired me after I recovered to get ready for the next one," Willis said.
She has run in 27 marathons in all, including some of the most prestigious in the nation.
"I ran every year to celebrate my birthday and I think that's a wonderful thing to do," Willis said. "Celebrate your life."
More than 5,000 runners will hit the streets Sunday morning for the Denver Marathon.
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