Sandra Folzer to Race for American Record November 1

The 87-year-old runner aims to break the age-group record at the Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge 10K.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Running

Sandra Folzer to Race for American Record November 1

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On November 1, 2026, 87-year-old runner Sandra Folzer will compete in the Cooper Norcross Run the Bridge 10K to challenge an American record. She aims to improve upon the current women's 85-89 road race record of 1:21:34 set by Ginette Bedard in 2018.

Why it matters

The attempt marks a significant athletic milestone for the 87-year-old athlete, who has consistently demonstrated competitive pace in the 10K event. Her effort highlights the ongoing activity of veteran runners within the Camden regional racing community.

Sandra Folzer maintains a training regimen of 20 miles across three days per week to prepare for the 10K race. She previously completed the course in 67 minutes in 2024 and 68 minutes in 2025, falling well within the record-breaking pace.

The players

Sandra Folzer

She is an 87-year-old runner based in Chestnut Hill who has been active in distance racing since 1976.

Ginette Bedard

She is a veteran runner who established the American women's 85-89 10K road race record in 2018.

The details

Folzer supports her running career with a diverse exercise routine that includes weekly tennis, yoga, and knee-strengthening exercises. Her specific running schedule features interval training on Tuesdays, independent runs on Thursdays, and group runs on Saturdays.

Timeline

  1. Sandra Folzer began her running career in 1976.

  2. Ginette Bedard set the American 10K record in 2018.

  3. Folzer completed the Run the Bridge race in 67 minutes in 2024.

  4. Folzer completed the Run the Bridge race in 68 minutes in 2025.

  5. Folzer will attempt to break the American 10K record on November 1, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This attempt places Folzer in direct contention with long-standing American records for the 85-89 age bracket. Her performance directly influences the competitive standing of veteran runners within the local 10K circuit for the current racing season.

Folzer requires a finish time faster than 1:21:34 to claim the American record for her age group. Her previous two years of race data show she has consistently finished the course roughly 13 to 14 minutes ahead of the current record-holding pace.

The takeaway

Folzer demonstrates that maintaining a structured routine of interval training and cross-training can sustain high-level athletic performance into the late eighties. Her commitment highlights how consistency in low-impact activities like yoga and tennis complements high-intensity training goals.

Further reading

Learn more about local racing events and standards in the Running section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by PhillyVoice.

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