Dorothy Beckett grew up as one of 15 children, but she didn’t start running until she was 39 years old. Her first race was the 1997 Women’s Distance Festival – at that time it took place at midnight with loops around The Mall in Columbia. She was hooked.
By the early 2000’s, her times were impressive, especially for a rookie Masters’ competitor. Dorothy ran 3:21 at the 2000 North Central Railroad Trail Marathon and 1:11 in the 2002 Cherry Blossom. She has been a consistent age group award winner at distances from 5K to the marathon. In 2013 (at 55 years old), she ran 3:34 for the Richmond Marathon and 42:17 for the Pikes Peak 10K, both times winning her age group. Dorothy was named the Striders’ Female Masters Runner of the year in 2000, and she was Grand Masters Runner of the year three times, in 2008, 2010 and 2013.
In addition to her running, she has been an active volunteer, serving as Club Secretary, Co-Race Director of the Women’s Distance Festival five times, a member of the Striders’ Scholar/Athlete Awards Selection committee for six years and Bagel Run Water Coordinator for three years.
Dorothy is a Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Maryland and finds that early morning runs provide great preparation for demanding days. She loves the camaraderie of training and racing, and the ability to see the world “on foot.” Dorothy is married to Neal Fedarko, and has two children, Anne and Michael.