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New Book Profiles Women Runners Over 50, Including Locals

A book released this year by Carol Hansen Montgomery titled Tapping The Fountain of Youth: Profiles of Women Runners Over 50 includes women from Cape May County, Ocean City, Hamilton, and Philadelphia.

The book features photos, anecdotes, statistics and accomplishments of women runners from age 50 to 80 plus.

Susan Reich of Ocean City, NJ is one of the women profiled in the book. Starting at age 22 and still running at age 52, she's a 30 year veteran who, according to the book, was the recent overall female winner of Ocean City's half marathon. She started training after joining the Brigantine Beach Patrol.

Montgomery quotes Reich as saying, "As long as I'm having fun and staying healthy I'll keep running. I missed all aspects of this summer when I was injured. I'm addicted. I think part of the reason I keep improving is that I did not start running seriously until later in life. I had much room for improvement."

Other locals profiled in the book include Carole O. Donohue of Cape May Court House, NJ, age 51, who runs 40 to 60 miles a week while training for a marathon, Suzanne Gibson, age 60, of Egg Harbor Township, NJ whose best race was the Philadelphia Marathon at age 52, Sue Baker of Ocean City, NJ, who at age 65 runs 12 to 15 miles per week, Carole L. Lelli of Ocean City, NJ, who at age 68 runs 20 to 25 miles per week and who completed her best race at age 48 in the New York City Marathon, and Rita Alles of Hamilton, NJ, who at age 74 runs 10 to 12 miles per week and does spinning two days per week.

All of the women profiled in this book are sure to provide some inspiration to not only runners, but anyone looking to dedicate themselves to any pursuit. Their accomplishments and their lasting health show the personal benefits that are possible from consistent dedication.

Tapping the Fountain of Youth: Profiles of Women Runners Over 50 is in our collection at the Ocean City Public Library. The 196-page book was published in August of 2012.


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