Kathy Butler

Kathy Butler

Personal information
Born	(1973-10-22) 22 October 1973 Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
Medal record Women's athletics Representing  United Kingdom World Cross Country Championships Bronze 2004 Bruxelles Women's team European Cup Gold 2001 Bremen 3000 m Goodwill Games Bronze 2001 Brisbane 5000 m

Kathy Butler (born 22 October 1973) is a Scottish long-distance runner who competes in the 10,000 metres and marathon, as well as cross country running and road running .

Early life and professional career

Butler was born in Edinburgh of English parents and brought up in London until her parents emigrated to Ontario, Canada when she was 10.^[1] She attended the University of Guelph, Canada before transferring to the University of Wisconsin, USA. In 2004 she was inducted into the University of Wisconsin hall of fame.^[2] In 2005 she inducted into the University of Guelph hall of fame.^[3]

As a member of the cross country and track teams at the University of Wisconsin, Butler was a five-time NCAA Champion and a 13-time All-American whilst being coached by Peter Tegen. In the 1995-96 season, Butler received the Honda Sports Award, given to the top women in collegiate athletics.^[4]

While in college she competed in the 5,000 metres at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.^[5]

In 1994 she suffered from Graves' disease, a disorder of the thyroid gland.^[1]

In 2001, Butler finished 12th at the World Cross Country Championships (4 k race), won the European Cup 3000m ^[6] and also placed third in the 5,000 metres at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.^[7]

During the IAAF World Championships Olga Yegorova, who had shown positive for the blood-boosting agent erythropoietin in tests conducted by a Paris lab.. escaped suspension because procedures were improperly observed, her presence at the World Championships kept Butler out of the World Championship final.^[8]

In 2002 Butler missed out on competing for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games after she was diagnosed with the pelvic condition, osteitis pubis. The Edinburgh-born runner was on crutches for months, unnable to do anything too strenuous.^[9]

In 2004 she finished 11th at the World Cross Country Championships (8 km race) in Brussels, winning a bronze medal with the British team. Later that year at the Olympic Games in Athens, Butler achieved a remarkable 12th place finish in the 10,000 metres with a time of 31:41.13.^[10]

In 2005 Butler had a great cross country season including a win at Venta de Baños Cross Country.^[11] Later in the year she debuted in the marathon with 2:30:01 at the Chicago Marathon.^[12]

She has a Maple Leaf tattooed on her ankle, with the five-ring Olympic insignia.^[13]

Butler was coached by Peter Tegen and was an assistant coach at both Stanford University and University of Wisconsin.^[4] Butler is now coached by former marathon world record holder Steve Jones.^[14]

Butler lives in Nederland, Colorado^[15] in the United States. Kathy is the track coach at Nederland High School.^[16]

Competition record

Olympics

1996 Atlanta Olympics

• 5000 m.

2004 Athens Olympics

• 10,000 m: 12th. 31:40

Other events

• 2005 British World Trials - First place (10000) 31:45 ^[17]
• 2004 British Olympic Trials - First place (10000 m) 31:36
• 1999 IAAF World Cross Country Championships - 4th Place (4k)
• 1997 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship - First place (3000m)
• 1996 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship - First place (3000m)
• 1995 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship - First place (3000m)
• 1995 NCAA Cross Country Championship - First place

Personal bests

• 1500 metres - 4:08.17 min (1997)
• 3000 metres - 8.40.97 min (2001)
• 5000 metres - 15:05.51 min (2004)
• 10,000 metres - 31:36.90 min (2004)
• Half marathon - 71:05 min (2006)
• Marathon - 2:28:39 min (2006)

References

External links

• Official website
• Kathy Butler profile at IAAF
• Template:PO10