As the end of the year approaches, it’s a natural time to reflect on the challenges, memories and accomplishments of the past year. Betts Stroh, a new Fremont resident, has quite a list of accomplishments to look back on this year. In August, Stroh competed in the World Masters Athletic Championship for track and field in Gothenburg, Sweden. Not only did Stroh compete, but she placed in all three of her races: 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter. Oh, and Betts Stroh also happens to be 91 years old.
Stroh started running in Montana before moving to Northern California, then Fremont three years ago to be closer to her family. “I started this athletic adventure after my husband died,” shared Stroh. “At 79 I started doing 5Ks and I found them boring,” she laughed. After trying some 5Ks she realized another sport was much more up her alley. “I saw adults doing track and field. I always thought track and field was for boys and men. But women were out there competing and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll try that.’”
With discovering track and field, Stroh tested the waters with a few events, but some didn’t quite fit. “I competed in throwing the javelin, but because I’m very small—I’m 4 foot 8—you can’t really improve in throwing the javelin because your arms aren’t big enough. I thought ‘Why am I wasting my time throwing the javelin, and I might hurt myself. I concentrate now just on running the 100, 200 and 400 [meters].”
Discipline is a big reason why Stroh has made it to international competitions. She explains how it’s been difficult to find a professional coach who has time to train her. For many, that setback would cause them to hang up their sprinting spikes all together. But for Stroh, it’s only made her get creative and keep herself accountable.
“I live in a very large rental community,” said Stroh. “At the back of the property is an Alameda [Creek] Trail, so I have [marked] off the 50, 100 and 200 meters. That’s where I practice my sprinting. The rental community has a wonderful gym, and I work out there.” Since spriting requires a lot of technical training Stroh notes YouTube as a great resource, “I’m on the internet all the time. The internet is my coach.”
In August, her self-discipline and training paid off when she attended the World Masters Athletics Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden, as the oldest woman on the US team. World Master Athletics holds international track and field competitions for athletes who are 35 years and over, according to their website, to “encourage their passion for active healthy competition, global camaraderie and celebratory spirit.”
“I’ve never had butterflies, but in Gothenburg, I was really nervous about being on the world stage because it was being televised,” said Stroh. “When we did the 100 meter it was two days after I’d arrived, and I was the first person out. That made me nervous.” With butterflies and all, Stroh finished her 100 meter race in 29 seconds, earning her the Gold medal in the 90-94 year-old women’s age group. However, she didn’t stop there, Stoh claimed silvers in the 200 and 400 meter clocking in at 60 seconds and three minutes, respectively.
Track and Field has helped build a community for Stroh. “I find everyone is so supportive and it’s just awesome that I have had this opportunity to be involved in this,” she said. Stroh gives credit to all the coaches and people who “have afforded me their knowledge and support for my continuing athletic adventure.” Those coaches include Lee Webb of Mission Valley Track and Field in Fremont, coach Clyde Lehman of her current team Sierra Gold Track and Field, coach Steve March, a retired coach of Rocklin High School and Amanda Roberts, GirlsTrack Coach at Placer High School in Auburn.
Stroh continues to look onward in her athletic journey. Although she’s on a three-month break from running after her return from her World Masters Athletics wins, she plans to get back to her training routine and already has her eye on her next Masters meet in July. Stroh may be a sprinter, but she looks at her athletic journey as a marathon. “I want to be able to do the 100 meter when I’m 100.”
WOW YOU ARE AMAZING BETTS!!!!