Mary Beth Ellis
Mary Beth is one of the USA’s most decorated long distance triathletes. Over her career, MBE won a world championship title at the 2015 ITU long distance championships, won 11 Ironman titles around the globe - 7 in course record time, was 2nd at the 70.3 World Championships twice, and 5th at the Ironman World Championships. MBE started her career racing short distance and was a member of the US National Team prior to racing long distance.
Personal bio:
While I had the most professional success as a triathlete, my first love was running with swimming in a close second. At Northwestern University, I competed as a Division I swimmer and runner in both track and cross country. After finishing school, I competed as an elite marathon runner with my top finish being a 3rd place at the Philadelphia marathon in 2:41. Despite this fleeting success, I battled many injuries as a runner and switched to racing triathlons after a bone spur in my hip led to a diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
I began my triathon career racing ITU Olympic distance races as well as non-drafting Olympic distance events working with the US National team for four years. During this time I received tremendous support from USAT and was able to win a Pan American title, reach several cup podiums and compete in the World Championships. In 2008, I started racing 70.3 distance events and had success quickly with a 2nd at the 70.3 World Championships in 2008 and 2009.
After an injury plagued 2010, I refocused in 2011 and embarked on my Ironman career. I won 11 Professional Ironman titles, an ITU long distance world title, and finished in the top 5 at the Ironman World Championships.
In 2016, I retired from professional triathlon to start a family and embark on my coaching career. I have enjoyed working with triathletes, runners, and cyclists on personalized plans to help them succeed. As an athlete, I had the opportunity to learn from the top coaches across disciplines around the world and their mentorship informed my work as a coach. In addition, I have learned many lessons from my own training and racing mistakes and failures as well as successes. I look forward to working with the MVS runners and relish the opportunity to help each and every athlete forge their own path and achieve their goals.