Written by Michael Tsai for the Honolulu Advertiser

Betty Jean McHugh, 80, set a world record for her age group with a finishing time of 5 hours, 6 minutes, 34 seconds at today’s [last Sunday's] Honolulu Marathon. McHugh, a retired nurse from North Vancouver, British Columbia, eclipsed the previous record of 5:10:04 set by Ida Mingz at the 1985 Chicago Marathon.

McHugh’s accomplishment is especially impressive because the Honolulu Marathon’s 26.2-mile course, with its numerous uphill sections, is considered a relatively difficult course, is considered a slow course and is not conducive to record times. McHugh set a record for the 75-79 age group at the 2002 Honolulu Marathon.