RRR Member Ann Singer Hits 70 Marathon Milestone

By Alex Taylor for The Journal News
January 10, 2010

SUFFERN — Ann Singer didn't lace up her first pair of running shoes until she was in her 40s. But that hasn't stopped her from going the distance.

Since being introduced to the sport of distance running two decades ago, the 66-year-old Suffern native and grandmother has completed a marathon in all 50 states.

It's a track record that has taken Singer across the country and into the company of a select group of marathoners known as "50 Staters."

"In the beginning, people would ask me if I was OK , if I needed a ride," Singer said. "Most women my age don't think they can do it."

According to Running USA, the Colorado Springs nonprofit organization that compiles statistics for distance running, of the approximately 425,000 marathoners to cross the finish line in 2009, only 1 percent were women over the age of 65.

In November, Singer completed the New York City Marathon — her 70th overall. Today, Singer is quick to credit her career as a runner to Joseph Famellette, a professor of physical education at Rockland Community College.

Singer had enrolled in the college and had to take Famellette's "Fitness for Life" class to earn her gym credit.

"I was overweight and had never exercised in my life," Singer said. "I didn't know a thing about nutrition. I didn't really even know what walking a mile meant. I don't think I ever left the house to take a walk."

Famellette, who has coached at RCC for 50 years and continues to compete in the Summer National Senior Games encouraged Singer to exercise.

"I like to tell people that if it took them 20 years to get out of shape it's going to take them a while to get back into shape," Famellette said.

After graduating from RCC, Singer said she started walking — then running — in local races throughout Rockland County. After a tryout in Atlantic City, Singer said she was hooked on marathons.

"I saw a man at the Atlantic City race wearing a "50 Stater" T-shirt and I asked him what it meant," Singer said. "The thought of running a marathon in 50 states really excited me."

In the years since then, Singer went on to run the marathon in places such as Anchorage and Lake Tahoe. The Chicago marathon remains a personal favorite.

"Every mile you seemed to be in a different neighborhood," she said.

Singer hit the 50-state milestone in 2008, in Hawaii , where she finished the marathon in 6:30:00 time and 95-degree heat.

JC Santa Teresa, president of the Rockland Road Runners, said he's heard similar, if less extreme, stories among other older runners.

Of 500 members in the club, Santa Teresa said about 70 were above the age of 60. The club even has a name for older runners: "The Swifty Sixties."

"We see a lot of people return to the sport," Santa Teresa said. "They may have run in high school and only now decided to run again."

Santa Teresa said he was inspired by older runners. "I'm in my 40s now and want to keep running forever," Santa Teresa said. "If they can do it, why can't I?"

For her part, Singer said she was grateful to have had the chance to take up running. After years of running, Singer said she is slowing down. She typically runs the only the first half of the marathon and walks the rest.

"At my age I'm thrilled even to be able to finish," she said.

Her daily regimen includes a 4- to 7-mile walk around Suffern, often in the company of Emma, her 4-year-old granddaughter. Singer likes to call herself "Granny Annie." "On a big day I'll walk to and from the YMCA in Ridgewood, N.J.," she said.

Still, the miles add up. Singer said she goes through a new pair of running shoes every two months.

Singer said she encouraged other people to take up the sport, or even get into the habit of walking every day.

"You don't need a treadmill or anything like that," Singer said. "Just turn the handle on the front door and walk around the block."

Go Granny, Go! Suffern woman hits 70-marathon milestone.