U.S. Olympic Athletes

Mary Beth Ellis

  • Home:  Rehoboth Beach, DE
  • Birthday:  7/12/1977
Full Name: Mary Beth Ellis
Hometown: Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Resides: Thornton, Colo.
College & Grad School: Northwestern University
Height: 5-4
Weight: 118
Birthdate: 7/12/1977
Birth Place: Washington, DC
Years Elite: 3
Final 2007 ITU Rank: 90
Final 2007 USAT Rank: 11
Personal: Mary Beth Ellis… Born July 12, 1977 in Washington, DC… Nicknames are MB, Pearl, Punky… Parents are Kathleen and Steven… Has an older brother, Brian… Has a 14 year old Brittany Spaniel named Amos… Before competitions, she likes to eat a balanced meal with some chicken, rice or pasta, and some greens to keep things moving along… In the morning, she usually eats some toast and fruit with coffee and lots of fluids if it is going to be a hot day… Enjoys reading and loves listening to books on tape in her spare time, and also enjoys hiking, skiing, and climbing… Turned to triathlon after being diagnosed with osteo-arthritis in her right hip… The diagnosis was a huge shock and setback to her running aspirations as she was training for the marathon Olympic Trials.


Elite Triathlon Career:  Opened 2007 season with win in Mooloolaba, Australia, while suffering from torn cartilage in her hip… Earned first World Cup points with 20th place finish at the Richards Bay World Cup in 2007… Won the Kelowna Continental Cup and finished third in the Brampton Continental Cup in first season as a pro in 2006.

Amateur Triathlon Career:  After struggling with running injuries from 2002 through 2005, she was diagnosed with early osteoarthritis in her hip and advised to stop running the high mileage required for elite distance running… In the summer of 2005, she began to focus on triathlon… Only raced three triathlons before turning pro… Placed first overall amateur and second overall including pros in her triathlon at Boulder Peak… Felt she wasn’t prepared for first pro race, but enjoyed the challenge.

Athletic Background: Competed in marathons after college, running her first in 2:46 in 2000... In her second marathon, the 2001 Philadelphia Marathon, she placed 3rd overall (1st American) with a 2:41 and was nationally ranked in the top 15 American performances for that year… Had podium finishes at the 2004 Baltimore Half Marathon, 2003 Las Vegas Half Marathon, 2002 Hartford Half Marathon, and the 2001 Philadelphia Marathon… Competed in swimming, cross country and track at Northwestern… Two-time Cross Country Academic All-Big Ten honoree… Cross country team captain in 1999 and 2000… Coach’s Award in 1998… Top track runner in 1999, with top 3 finishes in 6 of 8 races, top 20 in 5K at Penn Relays, top 3 in 5K at Texas Relays… As a swimmer was three-time Academic All-American… Four-time Academic All-Big Ten… 12-time finalist in the Big Ten Tournament… Three-time NCAA qualifier… Received the Joseph H. Trienens Memorial Scholarship… Nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year in 1999… Torch of Center Court Award Recipient 1999… U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in swimming in 1996… USA Swimming National Championship qualifier 1994-1999… Competed in field hockey, swimming, lacrosse, and track in high school… Member of two lacrosse state championship teams and earned All-State both years… As a swimmer set school records in the 200 Medley Relay, 200 IM, 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, and 400 Freestyle Relay… Three-year high school All-American… As a senior qualified for Senior Nationals in the 100 breaststroke… Three-time New Jersey state champion in the 100 breaststroke, 200 IM, 100 butterfly, and 200 medley & 400 freestyle relays… Won state track titles in the mile and two mile as a senior and set school records for both events.