2019 Most Dedicated Athlete

MS Tracy Voorthuyzen in the Revel Chilliwack Marathon.

Lt(N) MJ Kia, HMCS Malahat Public Affairs ~

They say the secret to happiness is setting attainable goals, but the definition of attainable is only as limited as your imagination.

For Master Seaman Tracy Voorthuyzen, a Supply Technician at HMCS Malahat, her sights were set high.

“I have set myself a goal to complete 60 marathons by age 60, which is March 2020. I started running marathons in 2009 at the Victoria Marathon. I have now completed 58; my plan is for the 59th to be in the Victoria Marathon in October, and then number 60 in Cancun, Mexico, this December.”

A regular on the Canadian Armed Forces national and international running circuits, MS Voorthuyzen has competed in multiple prestigious events, including the Boston Marathon, twice. Her love for the sport has had a positive effect on her shipmates, as she is often the lead organizer at Malahat for getting others involved in running.

“I drive most of my shipmate’s crazy asking them if they have signed up for whatever the latest races are. In 2016 our unit had three participants at the Boston marathon, where the only way in is to meet strict qualifying times,” she says.

On Sept. 19, MS Voorthuyzen was awarded Most Dedicated Athlete at the CFB Esquimalt Sports Awards for 2019. It is only fitting that she wasn’t present to receive her award, as MS Voorthuyzen is presently in Europe at the Disney Castle to Chateau Challenge where she continues to live her passion for ticking off the kilometres.