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Hedy
Marque
By
Randy Mayes
Usually, just running in a road race
will win an age group award for Hedy Marque. At 83, most of her peers have
chosen other hobbies. Hedy still enjoys knitting sweaters, but has been
physically active all her life. She brags that she cut a half-acre lawn by
herself as a housewife and bookkeeper for many years.
She
moved to the United States in 1947 with her late husband whom she met through a
track club in Germany. At age 49 she took up tennis and played competitively.
After losing her agility and with reduced vision, she hung up her racquet.
She credits her interest in road
racing to her daughter, Marjie, an instructor for IBM and her sometimes training
partner. Even though she complains of not being able to see or hear and of
various aches and pains, she has managed two to three runs per week ranging from
three to eight miles.
At
the 2000 Senior Olympics in Richmond, VA, Hedy competed in the 50 yard dash,
5000m, and 10,000m. She claimed several awards, but says the high temperature
made her disoriented.
While
competing on the roads, she has earned eight USATF age group masters road
records for distances from 8K to ten miles. Her records include: 8K 70-74
(38:46), 75-79 (40:44); 10K 80-84 (56:17); 15K 75-79 (1:25:20), 80-84 (1:29:01);
and 10 mile 70-74 (1:20:33), 75-79 (1:24:54), and 80-84 (1:31:24).
A recent bout with Lyme Disease revealed by a blood test has reduced her recent training to only those times when she feels well. Her pet cockatoo keeps her company in Alexandria while she recuperates. Needless to say, she is at the top of her age group in the region.
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