Masters world champion – Fran Marquart

At 82 years young, Frances Marquart is not your average cyclocross racer. With three national championships and a world title under her belt, she’s living proof that age is just a number when it comes to pedaling through mud, hopping barriers, and embracing the joyful chaos of cyclocross.

Fran’s journey to becoming a cyclocross champion began on foot. An avid runner, she completed races in all 50 states, tackling everything from 5Ks to marathons. Fran has also run duathlons and triathlons. She prefers duathlons “because I’m a lousy swimmer and don’t like jumping into cold water,” she chuckles.

Her first duathlon was an unexpected success in San Antonio, Texas. “It was called the Cave Bear runs. The race started in the caves down there, stalactites and the whole business. Bats too,” Fran recalls. Little did she know, it was a regional championship race. “I won my race. So I got an email saying ‘Congratulations. You’ve qualified for nationals.’ Well, when you’re in your sixties and you’re invited to go to nationals, you better go.”

She raced the national championship and won! “That was like, Wow! Only my second or third race that I’d ever done,” Fran marvels. The next thing she knew, she was headed to Pontevedra, Spain for the World Championship race, where she placed third.

But as the miles added up, so did the wear and tear on her joints. “The body is just saying, you know, it’s time,” Fran chuckles. “Well, you’re not 60 anymore.” Enter cyclocross – a sport that combines road cycling, mountain biking, and what Fran describes as “steeplechase running while you carry your bike.”

Her stepson, Paul, introduced her to cross, and she was instantly hooked. “I got to watch, and it looked like so much fun.” Fran recalls. Her first cyclocross bike was a humble $100 pawn shop find. “I thought, I don’t want to invest in something in case I can’t really do this,” she explains. But it wasn’t long before she was upgrading her ride and racking up victories.

In the world of cyclocross, Fran often finds herself in a league of her own, with only about five people in the world competing in her age group. She won national championships in 2017 (Reno), 2019 (Steilacoom) and 2021 (Chicago). The 2019 Steilacoom course was special to her because it is close to home. “Steilacoom was rated as the toughest nationals they’ve ever had. I’ve been to three Nationals and yes, I can say this was the toughest one I’ve ever seen,” Fran affirms.

Living close to the Steilacoom course has its perks. “I know every root, rock and mole hill,” she says proudly. “And there are lots of trails at Fort Steilacoom Park not used in races, and lots of fun to ride around.” She’s even witnessed the resilience of nature firsthand after a fire swept through the area in August 2023. Although she was evacuated, they saved all the houses, and nobody got hurt. “It’s interesting to see how it’s coming back.”

Although she is proud of the championship jerseys, the most important thing for Fran is the joy of riding and the positive vibes and camaraderie of the cyclocross community. “I do the best I can, always,” she says. “If it’s good enough to win, fine. If it’s not, well, that’s the way it is.”

Her crowning achievement came in Ipswich, England, at the 2022 Cyclocross World Championships. The course was a mud-lover’s dream – or nightmare, depending on your perspective. “Their mud is slimy goo, and it was about eight to 10 inches deep,” Fran describes. “And it goes from tape to tape. You cannot get around it. You’ve gotta go through it.” Despite the challenging conditions, and falling on each lap in the slippery mud, she completed the course and earned the rainbow jersey.

Standing on the podium, hearing the national anthem was a moment Fran will never forget. “I can now understand why the Olympians have tears running down their faces,” she says. “It’s so emotional. They’re playing that just for you.”

Fran gives a lot of credit to her daughters for helping her get to the England race. “We were sitting on the porch in the sun one day and I said, they’ve moved the worlds to England, I wanna go. And they looked at me and said, ‘Mom, we’re gonna get you there.'” They handled all the logistics, including driving on the wrong side of the road, so Fran could focus on the race.

When it comes to racing tactics, Fran is all about practicality. “I run the descents,” she admits. “In cyclocross, you do whatever is fastest.” She is also fond of the Arlington course, although she has a nemesis there. “There is one evil tree that kept trying to make me ride into it. Last time it just stepped out in front of me. I know it did,” she laughs. “A couple times it got me.”

These days, Fran rides a Specialized Crux with SRAM Rival components, outfitted with Cushcore foam tire inserts for a smoother ride. “I’m trying to make it as easy on the arms as possible,” she explains, a nod to the physical challenges that come with racing in your 80s. She appreciates the more upright position of her cyclocross bike, finding it more comfortable than a traditional road bike. Looking ahead, she’s says “I’ve given myself permission to buy an e-bike when I turn 90. If my nursing home will allow it,” she adds with a laugh.

Despite being an inspiration to many, Fran is charmingly reluctant about her role model status. “I hate being old enough to be an inspiration,” she laughs, recalling a duathlon where her age was displayed on her race number. “I don’t really want to advertise that!”

Throughout her cycling career, Fran has enjoyed the cheers from spectators and other racers. “I’ll be out on the course and, hear, ‘Come on, Fran!’ I don’t know who this person is that’s yelling for me. Doesn’t matter. They know who I am, I guess. It’s very encouraging.”

Fran retired from racing after last season, but still enjoys riding. She’s always on the lookout for great trails away from cars. One of her favorites is the Mud Mountain Dam near Enumclaw.

When she’s not on the bike, Fran keeps busy with letterboxing, a hobby similar to geocaching that combines hiking, puzzle-solving, and treasure hunting. She’s found letterboxes in 48 states and even found some during her travels to Madrid and London. It’s a passion that has taken her to unique locations across the country and around the world.

Fran’s passion for cycling, adventure, and life itself is as strong as ever. Whether she’s navigating a muddy cyclocross course, exploring new trails, or planning her next trip, Fran embodies the spirit of staying active and embracing new challenges at any age.

Looking back on her cycling adventures, Fran fondly remembers participating in the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride. “I’ve done STP a few times, but I’m a two-day rider,” she says. On one memorable ride, she realized early that she was underdressed for the weather. “I stopped at a little grocery store and begged a garbage bag from them and put that on under my jersey. It was like a wetsuit. And I rode all the way to Portland in a garbage bag, with this little black thing sticking out of my jersey.”

“It’s been fun,” Fran reflects on her cyclocross journey. And for those of us lucky enough to witness her in action, it’s been nothing short of inspirational. Just don’t tell her that – she might blush and pedal away even faster, chasing her next adventure.