2019 Distinguished Achievement Award: Connie Belt

Connie Belt’s journey started more than fifty years ago. You may have heard about it earlier this fall, as local news stations reported her heroic journey to finish the Kansas City Marathon, a mere thousand feet from where she was shot in 1966. That race was her fourth full marathon, and one of over thirty races that she has competed in, in the last five years alone.That story and those statistics are impressive, but there is so much more to Connie Belt!Connie’s injuries left her wheelchair bound, but that hasn’t slowed her down any. Those who know her marvel at her competitive spirit and her inability to give up. They used to worry about Connie getting hurt, but she has proven over and over again that she can compete with the best of us.Since the Lincoln Track Club started keeping records of race finishes in 1991, Connie has competed in thirty-eight track club events, including two Lincoln Marathons, and she’s been a consistent fixture at the Havelock Charity Run, Lincoln Mile, and Buffalo Run. In addition to these numerous LTC events, Connie has raced in almost all of the editions of the Good Life Halfsy half marathon, plus multiple Spartan and obstacle course competitions.Connie's strength and determination are a model for us all, and she is a tremendous ambassador of hard work, perseverance, and determination for the Lincoln Track Club and the state of Nebraska.The Lincoln Track Club is proud to present a 2019 Distinguished Achievement Award to Connie Belt. She provides a standard for us all and has proven time and again that the human spirit can overcome anything.Presented by Ryan RegnierPhoto by Kayla Wolf