Bauters Set to Compete in Boston Marathon

Track Coach Bauters - www.baa.org (bib #11890)

NOTRE DAME, IN – Saint Mary’s head cross country coach Jackie Bauters will run in the 111th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16 at 10 a.m.

It will be just the second marathon for the native of Highland Heights, OH. On May 21, 2006 she ran a qualifying time of 3:30 at the Cleveland Marathon to earn a spot at highly prestigious Boston Marathon. During her qualifying marathon, she had to run a minimum 3:40 on the 26.2 mile course for her age bracket to earn a spot in Boston.

“Cleveland was my first and only marathon leading into Boston. I typically race half-marathons more frequently. Training this winter was rough, so I'm trying to stay positive. I'd really like to run as well or better than I did Cleveland. However, it is about having a good time plus I have no idea how the crowds will equate to my time,” Bauters said.

She completed her second year at the helm of the Belles program in the fall were she coached Megan Gray who became the first Saint Mary’s runner to the NCAA Championships.

Bauters ran cross country for three seasons at Saint Mary’s before graduating in 2004. She served as a captain during her senior year and also earned MIAA honors on one occasion before graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

The Boston Marathon is New England's most widely viewed sporting event. It attracts around 40,000 participants and about 500,000 spectators annually. In 2006 more than 1,100 media members from over 250 outlets are expected to receive media credentials.