Masters track and field athlete
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Key moments and achievements from Betty Lindberg's life.
Betty was born
· Atlanta, Georgia, United States
family
Betty Ann Reynolds was born on Sept. 7, 1924. She married H.O. Lindberg in 1948, and by 1951 they had a daughter, Kerry. The family later moved to Bloomington, Minn., when H.O. Lindberg was transferred there, and their son, Craig, was born in 1956.
family
Betty Ann Reynolds was born on Sept. 7, 1924. She married H.O. Lindberg in 1948, and by 1951 they had a daughter, Kerry. The family later moved to Bloomington, Minn., when H.O. Lindberg was transferred there, and their son, Craig, was born in 1956.
career
In 1958, the Lindbergs moved to Atlanta when H.O. Lindberg took a job with Northwest Airlines. Betty later said she still lived in the house they bought a few years later. She worked in customer service at Rich's department store at Lenox Square and retired in 1992.
career
In 1958, the Lindbergs moved to Atlanta when H.O. Lindberg took a job with Northwest Airlines. Betty later said she still lived in the house they bought a few years later. She worked in customer service at Rich's department store at Lenox Square and retired in 1992.
service
Before she became known for racing, Lindberg was active in her children's scouting groups, served as PTA president and served on the council of Peachtree Road Lutheran Church. Those years established the steady, civic-minded life that later contrasted with her competitive second act. Her public identity was still rooted in family and neighborhood commitments.
service
Before she became known for racing, Lindberg was active in her children's scouting groups, served as PTA president and served on the council of Peachtree Road Lutheran Church. Those years established the steady, civic-minded life that later contrasted with her competitive second act. Her public identity was still rooted in family and neighborhood commitments.
turning_point
In 1988, at age 63, she watched the Peachtree Road Race and decided she wanted to try it herself. She said, “I can do that; that looks like fun.” She also remembered first resisting the idea, saying, “Absolutely not. I will not sign up for it. No, I will not.”
turning_point
In 1988, at age 63, she watched the Peachtree Road Race and decided she wanted to try it herself. She said, “I can do that; that looks like fun.” She also remembered first resisting the idea, saying, “Absolutely not. I will not sign up for it. No, I will not.”
debut
She ran her first Peachtree Road Race in 1989. After that debut, she became a regular participant and volunteer in the event. The race became one of the defining fixtures of her public life.
debut
She ran her first Peachtree Road Race in 1989. After that debut, she became a regular participant and volunteer in the event. The race became one of the defining fixtures of her public life.
record
On May 24, 2016, at age 91, Lindberg set a world record in the women's 90-and-older 800 meters. Her time was 6:57.56 at an Atlanta Track Club All Comers meet at Emory University. The performance marked her as a serious masters competitor, not just a local novelty.
record
On May 24, 2016, at age 91, Lindberg set a world record in the women's 90-and-older 800 meters. Her time was 6:57.56 at an Atlanta Track Club All Comers meet at Emory University. The performance marked her as a serious masters competitor, not just a local novelty.
record
On May 9, 2017, she ran 3:05.01 in the 400 meters. Atlanta Track Club described the performance as a U.S. national record for the women's 90-plus division. It extended her late-life run of competitive success into another event.
record
On May 9, 2017, she ran 3:05.01 in the 400 meters. Atlanta Track Club described the performance as a U.S. national record for the women's 90-plus division. It extended her late-life run of competitive success into another event.
championship
In 2019, Lindberg won the women's 90-94 division at the USATF National 5 km Championships in Atlanta. The victory showed that her racing remained competitive well into her 90s. She was no longer simply participating; she was still winning.
championship
In 2019, Lindberg won the women's 90-94 division at the USATF National 5 km Championships in Atlanta. The victory showed that her racing remained competitive well into her 90s. She was no longer simply participating; she was still winning.
record
In 2022, at age 97, she set the 95-99 age-group world record in the 5K with a time of 55:48. The mark underscored how far her late start had carried her. It also reinforced her reputation as one of the most durable masters runners of her era.
record
In 2022, at age 97, she set the 95-99 age-group world record in the 5K with a time of 55:48. The mark underscored how far her late start had carried her. It also reinforced her reputation as one of the most durable masters runners of her era.
milestone
By age 99, Lindberg had finished the AJC Peachtree Road Race 35 times. She remained a fixture in the event through her 90s, both as a runner and as a volunteer. The race that had started her running life became one of the clearest measures of her endurance.
milestone
By age 99, Lindberg had finished the AJC Peachtree Road Race 35 times. She remained a fixture in the event through her 90s, both as a runner and as a volunteer. The race that had started her running life became one of the clearest measures of her endurance.
death
Lindberg died on June 13, 2026, at age 101. After her death, Atlanta Track Club called her “a shining light in our community and a living example of what it means to keep moving.” The club also sold Be Like Betty T-shirts as a fundraiser for one of its youth programs, reflecting the reach of her example.
death
Lindberg died on June 13, 2026, at age 101. After her death, Atlanta Track Club called her “a shining light in our community and a living example of what it means to keep moving.” The club also sold Be Like Betty T-shirts as a fundraiser for one of its youth programs, reflecting the reach of her example.
Betty Lindberg passed away
