Mary DaSilva – Mind The Ducks Hall of Famer.
Intro
Mary DaSilva is the first inductee to Mind The Ducks 12-Hour Hall of Fame, established in 2024. She set American Age Group records at the race—one official in 2012 and ten years later unofficially in 2022. She participated in every Mind The Ducks race from 2010 until 2022. Her streak ended in 2023.
Brief bio
Mary started running after retiring from Lockheed Marting at age 60. One of her friends invited her to participate in the inaugural Mind The Ducks race back in 2010, which was held at the old race site in Seneca Park, Rochester, NY. Without serious long-distance training, she recorded distances that were close to the American age group’s records.
2012 race and the first American Age Group Record
Before the 2012 race, after Mary turned 65, she made it public that she would challenge the then-standing American Age group record. With temperatures at 80 degrees Fahrenheit for most of the day, weatherwise, it was not the best day for breaking long-distance records, but Mary prevailed. At the end of the 12 hours, Mary had the record with 51.471 miles/82.834 Km.
2022 race and the second (unofficial) American Age Group Record
After turning 75, with way less fanfare than in 2012, Mary quietly logged 51.61 miles/83.05 on the race day in 2023, which was even further than her record-breaking run ten years earlier. Which was about 9 miles further than the existing American Age group record. Before the race, Mary told RD not to certify the race with the USATF since she did not feel that her training was good and consistent enough, and she was not sure she would be able to participate in the race. After the record-breaking race, Mary assured RD that she was perfectly fine not having the official record since she had one ten years ago, and she knows she is the best ultra runner for her age, regardless of whether it is official or not.
Mary, as a friend
After discovering her talent for ultrarunning, Mary became a regular at most ultras near her hometown, Syracuse, NY. She quickly acquired scores of lifelong friends that she met at the ultras. She opened her house to old and new friends looking for overnight stays before another Western/Central NY ultra staple – Green Lake Endurance Runs. It’s safe to say that many of her friends get to know Mary’s generosity while staying at Mary’s place. It’s not uncommon that ultra runners trust other ultra runners more than others. However, Mary was exceptional in that regard.
Mary, as a runner
Despite her easygoing, carefree, and joyful personality, Mary is a fierce competitor on race day when she decides she wants to do well. Once the race starts, she puts on her game face and proceeds to tick off mile by mile until the race is over. She always wears a hat with a visor slightly covering her face. Mary’s running stride is one of the smoothest and most efficient strides of all the runners at the race. Her running form is virtually the same from the first to the last minute of the race. Yet, once the race is over, the game face disappears instantly.