Class of 2011

Bette Poppers

/ runningincolorado
photo: blacktiecolorado.com

photo: blacktiecolorado.com

Bette Poppers was one of the first formidable female long distance athletes. She got a late start in the game, starting her running career at 34 years old (and seven months pregnant), but she quickly made a name for herself. Representing Colorado, she became one of the nation’s top Masters runners in the 1980s as well as went on to qualify for the Olympic marathon trials twice (1984 & 1988) after turning 40. Bette is now retired in Littleton.

photo: stgeorgemarathon.com

photo: stgeorgemarathon.com

John Meyer

/ runningincolorado
photo: Twitter.com

photo: Twitter.com

John Meyer is a committed long-distance athlete and award-winning sports journalist. In 2007, he won the Jesse Abramson Award for excellence in track and field journalism, the most prestigious award presented by the Track and Field Writers of America. Through his thoughtful and ethical reporting, he has positioned himself as a top running and endurance sport journalist in Colorado. He has run multiple marathons and writes a regular column for The Denver Post on running and other endurance sports.

Parthenia Jones

/ runningincolorado / 1 Comment

528336_498028666881039_1655732170_nParthenia Jones, affectionately known as “Potts”, is an extraordinary volunteer and an integral member of the Colorado running community. She has dedicated countless hours to Colorado racing events over the past 30 years for no reason other than her love of the sport and people involved. A former Aurora police officer, she lead the Potts Trotters, a non-profit running and walking club that promotes health and fitness by sponsoring and participating in local running events ranging from 5k runs to ultra-marathons.

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Libby Hickman

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photo: uastf.org

photo: uastf.org

Libby Hickman was named top female road racer in 1991, 1998, and 2000 by Runner’s World Magazine. She was All-American at Colorado State University and ran the 10,000m at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. She was also the first American woman to win the Bolder Boulder in 14 years in 1997. From Fort Collins, Libby has largely retired from the sport in favor of chasing her two young children.

Libbie Hickman runs a race in Albany, N.Y., in June 2000, the same year she ran the Olympic 10,000 meters. ( AP file photo )

Libbie Hickman runs a race in Albany, N.Y., in June 2000, the same year she ran the Olympic 10,000 meters. ( AP file photo )

Steve Flanagan

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Steve Flanagan

Steve Flanagan is a U.S. World Cross Country Champion participant and standout marathon runner with a personal best of 2:18. He was at the heart of the 1970s Boulder running culture, running for the Frank Shorter Racing Team and the Colorado Track Club. He is also the father of America’s top female distance runner, Shalane Flanagan, who was a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.