On the cross-country course, no one could catch Martha Grinnell ’85. They still can’t—Ms. Grinnell’s course record of 19:40 over 3.3 miles remains today.

One of the most decorated runners in school history, Ms. Grinnell went undefeated in dual meets over two years, holding course records at five schools by the time she graduated.

She was no slouch off the course, either. At graduation, Ms. Grinnell was presented with the White Blazer, as the top senior girl. Ms. Grinnell continued her success at Springfield College, earning All-American and Northeast 10 champion status in 1987, as well as being a national qualifier in 1988. She was later inducted into the Springfield College Hall of Fame.

Ms. Grinnell ran on the U.S. Pro World Championship Triathlon Team from 1992 to 1995, was ranked third nationwide at the 1994 Olympic distance triathlon, and was a member of the 1994 Goodwill Games team. She placed seventh at the 1997 Hawaii Ironman World Championship, and second at the U.S. Pro National Championship in 1994 and 1997. She also qualified for the first ever U.S. Olympic Triathlon Team trials in 2000.

Ms. Grinnell returned to the Pioneer Valley to coach cross-country at Smith College; she now coaches professionally through her company, Dynamic Training.