Schubert-Akin wins Sportswomen of Colorado "Inspirational" award

 

Jennifer Schubert-Akin

Those who knew Jennifer Schubert-Akin as she grew up in Burlington remember her as a talented pianist and valedictorian of the BHS Class of 1975. They would probably have never dreamed that they'd read about her years later as a multiple marathon runner and recipient of an inspirational athletic award.

She makes her home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, with Rick Akin, her husband of 39 years this May.

Schubert-Akin joins an elite list of Colorado athletes who are being honored by the Sportswomen of Colorado. They were supposed to be celebrated at the 46th annual awards ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, March 15, at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center in Denver. However, organizers postponed the presentation due to concerns about COVID-19. This reporter is Jennifer's sister and my family planned to attend the awards to show her how proud we are of her.

"It's really special, and it's something I never would have foreseen in my life," Schubert-Akin said. "I started running back in 1990, and I was a somewhat overweight, out of shape 32-year-old person who was certainly not an athlete. If you had told me back then I would be getting an award from the Sportswomen of Colorado, I would have laughed."

Schubert-Akin believes she earned the 2020 Inspirational Award because she's finished the Boston Marathon 25 times in the past 30 years. The feat places her in a group of only 14 women and 150 total who have reached that level.

"First of all, there aren't that many people who have run it (the Boston Marathon)," Schubert-Akin said. "Out of the hundreds of thousands of people who have run the Boston only 150 or so are in the Quarter Century Club."

In her running career, she has completed between 80 and 90 marathons and ultramarathons throughout the U.S. Pushing even harder, she's finished three Leadville (Colorado) 100s (yes that's 100 miles) known as The Race Across the Sky. Schubert-Akin has also finished the Western State's 100 in California.

Leadville 100 race founder Ken Clouber nominated Schubert-Akin for the Sportswomen of Colorado award. He said, "As founder and and past president of the Leadville Trail 100s, it has been my honor and privilege to know some of Colorado's most talented and gifted women athletes. Jennifer Schubert-Akin is such a woman. Her running accomplishments, road, track and trail are epic: from her 25 consecutive, incredible Boston Marathons to her silver-buckle finish in the fabled Leadville Trail 100. Unselfishly, she continues to dedicate her time to serve as a mentor and role model to many young girls and women. She truly is a one-woman Colorado treasure. Jennifer's life, in and out of the athletic arena, is one of purpose and dedication. She is truly deserving of induction into the Colorado Sportswomen Hall of Fame."

Schubert-Akin's coach Heather Gollnick said, "Jennifer has the perfect combination of dedication and passion." Gollnick added, "It's not just how well she does in the endurance events she takes part in but how she represents women in sports at a whole different level .... She has been a role model all these years."

During her 23rd running of the Boston Marathon in 2017 she sustained fractures in both legs, one that required surgery, and a great deal of rehab. After the injury, she started swimming as a way to stay fit when she wasn't able to run.

"She was having some running issues, which happens to all runners, so she wanted to start cross-training," Gollnick said. "I got her into biking and into swimming – literally, she could barely swim across the pool." What started as rehab led to Schubert-Akin's interest in triathlons. She's trained in open ocean waters and regularly at a pool complex in Steamboat.

Last summer she completed the Ironman 70.3 in Hawaii. She plans to return to Hawaii in May to compete in another Ironman 70.3. In July she'll attempt her first full Ironman at Lake Placid.

Keeping her beloved tradition, Schubert-Akin planned to run her 26th consecutive Boston Marathon on April 20. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has basically shut down the country, the Boston Marathon is rescheduled for September 14 and she plans to be there and run.

"There's no longer a streak goal – the 25 I got," Schubert-Akin said. "As long as I'm having fun, I'll continue to go back, but there is no pressure to continue."

 

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