My guest today is Jenny Hitchings. Jenny has been on an amazing tear with her road racing over the last ~18 months. In August of 2018, Jenny shattered the American record in the 5K in the 55-59 age group running 18:05, crushing the record of 18:32 that had stood for over 20 years. Then in September, she broke the American record for 10 miles, running 61 minutes and 20 seconds, and in October she broke another 20-year old American record by running 1:21:17 for the half marathon. Lastly, in November, she took nearly a minute of Joan Benoit’s American record in the 10K by running 37:27. More recently, this November, Jenny shattered the world record in her age group by running 2:50:36 in the NY Marathon. Amazingly enough, aside from the marathon, every one of these records was also a lifetime PR for Jenny. Jenny has been a runner since she was in her 20s, but initially she ran purely for fun and fitness. She didn’t start training and competing seriously until her late 30s and she has continued to get better, defying all the normal rules about aging. Jenny just missed qualifying for the Olympic Trials marathon by running a 2:46 at age 47 and she established lifetime PRs from the 5K to the half-marathon nearly 10 years later.

It was great getting to know Jenny a little through our conversation and I hope you enjoy it.

Show Links:

Runnersworld.com Article, Dec, 2018 

Runners World June 2011 article: https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20824681/age-group-ace-jenny-hitchings/

Sacramento TV interview: https://www.kcra.com/article/sacramento-long-distance-runner-breaks-national-records/26107574

Personal Records:

Marathon: 2:46:10 Eugene Marathon, May, 2011

Half Marathon: 1:21:17 Urban Cow Half, Oct, 2018

30K 2:00:20 Clarksburg Country Run, Nov, 2008

10K: 37:27 Run to Feed the Hungry 10k, Nov, 2018

5K: 18:05 Susan B. Anthony 5k, Aug, 2018

6 mile 35:24 Wharf to Wharf, July, 2018

10 miles 1:01:20 Buffalo Stampede 10 mile, Sept, 2018

1 mile 5:28 Fleet Feet Davis Mile, 2005

30k 2:05:39 Jed Smith Ultra – Part Trail, Feb, 011

50k 4:22:27 Way Too Cool Trail Run, March 2014

50 miler 7:21:24 American River 50 – ½ Trails, April, 2012

Career Highlights

*November, 2019 NYC Marathon - Age Group Course Record, American Record, 6th Masters (2:50:36)

* 1^st August, 2018 Susan B Anthony 5k – Women’s Winner & Age Group American Record (18:05)

* 2018 American Age Group Records - 5K,10k, 10 Mile and 1/2 Marathon

* 2018 USATF (USA Track and Field) Athlete of the week (Nov)

* 2018 USATF - Long Distance Runner Of The Year (55-59)

* 2018 USATF-Pacific Female Road Runner Of The Year

* 2018 RRCA Female Masters LDR - Hall of Fame Inductee

* 1^st May, 2018 Mountains to Beach Marathon – Women’s Winner (2:51:28)

* Dec, 2018 Age Division Winner (Age Group Course Record)

Ca. International Marathon – 2:51

* Sports Illustrated - Faces in the Crowd, October, 8, 2018

* Dec, 2015 Age Division Winner (Age Group Course Record, 3^rd Masters)

Ca. International Marathon – 2:49

^{* 1st} April, 2015 Age Division Winner – 2:52 (10^th Masters and 57^th overall), Boston Marathon

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