Betty Boppart was one of the dominant women in NOTC races in the 1980’s.  In 1984, Betty posted the fastest 35-39 age group times in the mile, three mile, 10K, half-marathon and 25K.  But Betty’s local accomplishments are just a small part of her story.  Betty is a significant figure in the history of American female distance racing.  She wanted to run the South Pacific Games marathon, which was a male only race at the time.  Betty was finally allowed to run the race, but she had to start two hours before the men, and drop out if any man passed her.  She started in the dark at five am and completed her solo run of 26.2 miles in 2:59. In those same games she won the 3000 meter championship race, confirming her place as the queen of Pacific distance runners.

Bill Burke has committed himself to the world of endurance sports for decades, launching his path as a race director with the first Crescent City Classic in 1979. In 1993, he established Premier Event Management (PEM), an organization that has orchestrated more than 1,000 competitions throughout North America, specializing in the disciplines of cycling, triathlon, and distance running.  Bill has been a dependable supporter of the NOTC since the 1980’s.  He continues to provide material, equipment and expertise to the NOTC board, helping to maintain a high standard of quality racing events for NOTC members. Among his notable personal records are a 4:56 mile and a 10:05 two-mile, both achieved at the Great St. Charles Road Race. He also clocked an impressive 33:04 at the 1982 Peachtree 10K. In the Schlitz Lite Half Marathon, he crossed the finish line in 1:17:10. His endurance is further highlighted by a 2:52:12 performance at the Baton Rouge Marathon.

Rosemary Gioia has worked just about every Chalmette Track Club race since the club’s inception sometime in the 1980’s. This includes not only day-of-race work, but also pre-race preparation. She’s handled registration, done the awards scoring, cooked post-race food, etc., etc. Her value to the New Orleans area running community has been substantial and rarely

Matched.  Rosemary had a career as an educator, and that included coaching for decades at Andrew Jackson and Chalmette High Schools. She is currently in her fortieth year of coaching high school Cross Country.  Rosemary coached Junior Olympics Track and Field for twelve summers, coaching athletes who ranged in age from 10 to 18.  She has been a mentor to hundreds of cross country and track athletes. Rosemary has also assisted her daughter Jennifer in her coaching responsibility.

Larry Schlueter set the Jefferson Parish record in the 660-yard dash during his tenure at Metairie Junior High. Following this early success, he took a significant hiatus from competitive racing, only returning to the scene at age 39 for the Crescent City Classic. Larry is perhaps most renowned for his annual birthday runs; from the age of 49 through 60, he celebrated each birthday by running a mile for every year of his life. While his marathon personal best is a respectable 3:11, Larry’s true strength lies in his remarkable capacity for endurance. He has successfully completed numerous ultramarathons, including the Arkansas Traveler 100-miler in 29 hours, and has competed in ultra-distance events across Florida, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, California, and Arkansas. His local accolades include winning his age group at the Mardi Gras Marathon and securing the first grand masters title at the Mississippi Marathon. A true Uptown running legend, Larry once completed five races in a single weekend within the local area. He has likely logged more miles in Audubon Park than any other individual and is known for his willingness to run with anyone, regardless of their pace or the distance. This spirit of community and mentorship, as much as his athletic feats, defines his candidacy for the Hall of Fame.