Robyn Luthi after finishing Berlin Marathon. (Submitted/ Robyn Luthi)

By Jaryn Vecchio

World-Class Athlete

Sask. woman qualifies for World Championship marathon in Chicago

Jan 19, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Melfort’s own Robyn Luthi has been aiming to complete six of the world’s most famous marathons, but she’s about to compete at one she never thought possible.

She recently found out she is one of 400 women between the ages of 40 and 44 across the globe who’ve qualified for the 2023 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships happening this October in Chicago.

Luthi was picked after strong performances at the 2022 Boston Marathon and the 2022 Berlin Marathon where she ended up posting two of her fastest times ever.

“I came home from my run (Thursday) morning and the email was waiting for me and I opened it and became very emotional because it’s a big deal for me,” she said.

Luthi explained there were some thoughts over the past couple of months that she may have qualified, but it still came as quite a surprise when she found out. To say she’s on cloud nine would be an understatement.

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She’s also not putting any major expectations on herself in the race. She believes she can post a strong time, but she really just wants to soak up the whole experience.

“I know the time I want to run while I’m there and I just want the experience, saying I got to compete in the World Championship.”

Luthi will be changing some of her fall plans to ensure she can make the World Championships. This includes postponing any chance she had at completing the New York City Marathon, one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors.

She has been able to finish three of the races: Boston, Berlin, and Chicago. She is scheduled to compete at the TCS London Marathon this April.

Luthi is now hoping she can complete the New York City Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon, the last of the six majors, in 2024. When she finishes them, she’ll be awarded the Six Star medal.

“You do get the big medal,” she joked. “The very expensive, long, hard training medal.”

The 2023 AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championships will take place in Chicago on Oct. 8, 2023.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow