Boston Marathon Profile: Bette Simollardes

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury has 32 residents running in this year's Boston Marathon.

Sudbury Patch highlights those runners in the next few weeks.

Today, we meet Bette Simollardes, who is 60. Good luck, Bette!

Reason for running: To demonstrate it is never too late to start. I am a late in life racer, having started in my 50s. After encouragement from a friend, I ran my first 5k race and loved it. I found racing provided me with a goal and a focus. I had just lost my dad to cancer and running was therapeutic and kept me emotionally strong. After my first race I decided to run the 7 mile Falmouth road race in my Dads' honor. I continued to race and now enjoy new and sometimes harder challenges: ½ marathons, triathlons, a half-ironman and at the age of 59, my first marathon. I have now raced in over 75 races and never felt better, I realized that no matter how old you are, if you put your mind to it (assuming you are healthy) you can achieve any goal you set. Ten years ago, I would never have believed I could run a 5K never mind my dream marathon (Boston), but soon it will be a reality!

My second and more important reason for running is to raise money for cancer research and to eventually put an end to this dreaded disease. In addition to my dad, I have so many friends and relatives that are living with or have been taken by cancer. At times I feel like I know more people with cancer than are cancer free. There are hundreds of different cancers and that's why I am so passionate about raising money for Dana-Farber research; they are finding amazing and innovative ways to fight all types of cancer.

Marathon experience: My first marathon was the Baystate Marathon in 2015.Last fall I ran the NYC marathon.Boston Marathon will be my third and I am planning on running Chicago Marathon in the fall with my niece. My goal is to run all 6 major marathons (with London, Berlin and Toyko remaining) as well as Athens in my 60’s assuming I stay healthy.

Training tip: Start small, and combine walking and running, increasing you’re running each week. Sign up for a race to set a goal. Once you achieve it sign up for your next race, this will commit you to continue to train. If you don’t like to run alone, find a running club for support. There are many that have a variety of age groups and speeds. Remember, getting to the starting line can sometimes be the hardest part of the race! Finishing provides you with an unbelievable sense of accomplishment. Finally, no matter, if you’re first or last, you all achieved the same distance so celebrate that triumph.

I want to express my thanks to the awesome volunteers at Dana Farber and my new Dana-Farber running buddies from Sudbury, Laura Jacobson and Jane Loomes, whom have made the long winter training runs enjoyable. Also, special thanks to my family and those have generously donated to such an important cause.

Photo (submitted)

Are you running the Boston Marathon? We'd love to feature you, too. Email charlene.arsenault@patch.com.