From the New York City Marathon to the streets of Austin, meet the inspiring runner who has spent decades helping others reach their goals.
For most runners, completing one marathon is a major accomplishment. For Marie Bartoletti, it’s a milestone she’s celebrated 738 times and counting.
An experienced marathoner, ultrarunner, and dedicated pacer, Marie has spent decades traveling the country, conquering challenging courses, and helping fellow runners accomplish their goals. Now, she’s bringing that experience and enthusiasm to the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon.
But Marie’s story is about much more than the number of miles she’s covered. It’s a story of perseverance, resilience, and a lifelong love for the running community.
A Lifetime of Miles and Milestones
Marie’s running résumé is nothing short of extraordinary.
She’s completed marathons in all 50 states, participated in the iconic New York City Marathon as a pacer 30 times, and taken on some of the world’s most demanding endurance events.
Her accomplishments extend well beyond 26.2 miles. Marie has competed in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and the Badwater 135, a grueling 135-mile ultramarathon through California’s Death Valley. She’s also completed 10 IRONMAN triathlons, including competing at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii.
Her dedication to athletics even earned her a spot on a Wheaties cereal box in 2002 after one of her students nominated her as an everyday hero.
Despite her remarkable individual achievements, one of Marie’s greatest passions is helping others succeed.
More Than a Marathon: The Joy of Pacing
For Marie, the best part of running isn’t necessarily chasing another personal record. It’s helping someone else reach theirs.
Over the years, she’s served as a pacer at marathons across the country, including Houston, Dallas, Cowtown, Allen, and New York City.
Pacing requires more than maintaining a consistent speed. It’s about encouraging runners through difficult miles, providing reassurance when fatigue sets in, and celebrating the victories that happen along the way.
With hundreds of pacing experiences behind her, Marie understands just how meaningful a finish line can be, especially for someone completing their first marathon.
Every group brings new faces, new goals, and new opportunities to make a difference.
A Story of Perseverance
In November 2015, Marie experienced a massive stroke that changed her life.
For an athlete who had spent so much of her life moving, competing, and connecting with others through running, recovery presented an entirely new challenge.
But Marie refused to let that chapter define the rest of her story.
Through a long recovery process, she worked to regain her abilities and continued pursuing her passion for running. Since her stroke, she has returned to pacing hundreds of marathons, demonstrating the same determination that carried her through countless finish lines.
She has also shared her experiences through her book, Perseverance, offering an inspiring perspective on overcoming obstacles and continuing to pursue what you love.
Her journey is a powerful reminder that running isn’t just about how fast you finish. Sometimes, the greatest accomplishment is finding the strength to keep moving forward.
Bringing Her Experience to Austin
After pacing some of the country’s most recognizable marathons, Marie is excited to experience Austin and its running community.
In a message to the Austin Marathon team, she shared her enthusiasm:
“I’m looking forward to pacing the Austin Marathon, it’s going to be an awesome experience.”
She also expressed her excitement about joining the Austin Marathon pacers and experiencing the city’s hospitality.
With a career spanning hundreds of marathons, Marie knows that every event offers something unique. From the energy of the start line to the encouragement shared between strangers, it’s the people who make each experience memorable.
For Austin Marathon participants, having someone with Marie’s experience on the course is an opportunity to learn from a runner who has dedicated much of her life to the sport.
Every Finish Line Has a Story
At the Ascension Seton Austin Marathon, our pacers do more than help runners maintain a goal pace. They provide encouragement, share their experience, and help create unforgettable moments throughout the 26.2-mile journey.
Marie’s story embodies everything that makes the running community special: determination, connection, and the willingness to lift others up along the way.
Whether you’re chasing a personal best, completing your first marathon, or simply celebrating how far you’ve come, there’s something to learn from a runner who has crossed hundreds of finish lines and continues to find meaning in every one.
Join Marie and the Austin Marathon Pace Team on February 14, 2027, and make your next finish line one to remember.