QC Marathon Keynote Speaker is Patti Dillon

Patti Catalano Dillon (her story by the Boston Globe here), a pioneer in women’s running, will be the keynote speaker at the Happy Joe's Pasta Party on Saturday, Sept. 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stoney Creek Inn in downtown Moline.

Dillon got the marathon bug a few months into her running career and in the process of training she learned to live a healthier lifestyle which included quitting smoking. In her first marathon she ran a 2:53:40, qualifying for the 1976 Boston Marathon. Patti went on to set the American marathon record three times, and was also the first American woman to break 2:30 (2:29:34 at New York). Her marathon PR is 2:27:51, which she set at Boston in 1981. A three-time Boston runner-up (1979–1981) and four-time Honolulu Marathon winner (1978–1981), where she set a new course record each time, Patti has also held American or World records at the following distances: 5 miles, 10K, 15K, 20K, half-marathon and 30K.

The QCM is very honored to have her join us for the weekend!