MADISON- The 40^th running of the Cotton Row Run 10K in downtown Huntsville on Memorial Day will be just like all the others Mary Beth Chamberlain has participated in. Her goal is to run an 11-minute mile pace and complete the race along with the hundreds of others who make the efforts in one of the finest 10K races in the United States.

“I’m looking forward to the race as this year I’ll be the youngest in my age group of 65-70,” said Chamberlain. “I don’t run races for competition- I run them for relaxation.”

As a child Chamberlain was overweight and first used running as a way to get into better physical shape and remain there. Today, the 65-year old still uses the superb form of exercise as a health benefit. She and her husband of almost 40 years, Jim, also enjoy biking and hiking and will soon make a trip overseas as they will partake in a 300-mile bike ride across the country of France.

“We both like the outdoors and usually take our running clothes and gear with us on trips,” said Chamberlain. “Being active at our age we hope is a good role model for our two children and one grandchild, not to mention the second grandchild on the way.”

A retired mental health therapist after 25 years at the Mental Health Center, Chamberlain locked her mind and body around the scope of running while attending college where she was encouraged to try the sport by her roommate. While in high school she played field hockey and just didn’t like running for fun. Her first steps soon led her to take big leaps towards the sport including the races she began to partake in by 1980.

“I’ve run more or less continuously since college and I’ve grown to like the exercise, the sport,” said Chamberlain. “Running on an almost daily basis is my quiet time, meditation time. I have found running is a stress reducer for me. I even use running music as a way to help me keep on pace.”

Chamberlain takes to her running jaunts at 5:00 a.m. and will average three to four miles per run and sometimes even longer treks while preparing for a race like the Cotton Row Run. For nearly 30 years she has had a running partner in her good friend Karin Confer. When they team up for their morning exercise routine they usually run straight to a breakfast location.

Chamberlain’s husband will run the 5K additional race the Cotton Row Run offers as he’s considered a part-time running enthusiast, but he will be there at the finish line early Memorial Day to cheer on his mate across the finish line.

“I’m just glad I can still do this. I’m very proud to be able do so,” added Chamberlain.