Amber Driedger of Oakville has been lacing up her shoes for more than 40 years, but this season marks her biggest milestone yet: qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Running in the female 65–69 category, she’s not only met the standard, but done so in remarkable fashion.
“I’ve been running for just over 40 years, mostly just casually and just started racing more seriously in the last couple of years,” remarks Driedger.
From treadmill dreams to Boston reality
The Boston Marathon wasn’t always something Driedger thought was within reach.
“Winters where I didn’t go away, I would spend a lot of time on the treadmill, and I would watch other runners on YouTube. I found this YouTube video of a runner who videoed the whole Boston Marathon, and so I would replay it all the time when I was on the treadmill and got to know the course really well and then that just kind of became my dream. I had hoped to do that someday, to be able to qualify,” says Driedger.
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She admits her times were improving year after year, but she wasn’t sure age would allow her to cross that barrier. That changed last winter, when she headed south and began working with a coach.
“I just had gone south for the winter and was able to spend quite a bit of time training and racing,” notes Driedger. “This made a huge difference in my running ability.”
Winning streak builds momentum
In just one season, Driedger raced 17 times; and came first in her age category at all 17. Her streak now stands at 25 consecutive first-place age category finishes. Along the way, she shattered her own personal bests.
“I set personal records in my 5K (22:52), 10K (47:04), half marathon (1:45:42) and full marathon (3:32:49),” continues Driedger.
Her Boston-qualifying moment came in April at the REVEL Mount Charleston Marathon near Las Vegas. The course, famous for its downhill route, starts in icy mountain air before dropping into desert heat.
“This was an amazing marathon to race,” adds Driedger. “The race starts partway up Mount Charleston in the snow and cold, and as you run down through the canyon, there’s this breathtaking view, by the time of the sun rising between the mountains, I reached the finish line. It was 25 Celsius and I’d thrown away my gloves and extra layer.”
Her finishing time of 3:32:49 smashed the qualifying standard of 4:35:00 by more than an hour.
Proving it at home
Despite the celebration in Nevada, Driedger wanted to prove her fitness on a flatter course. On Father’s Day, she ran the Manitoba Marathon and clocked in at 3:59:42.
“I ran the Manitoba Marathon just to see if I would qualify without the downhill advantage,” mentions Driedger.
That left her with a 35-minute cushion under the Boston standard, securing her spot in two separate events.
The road to Boston
Registration for the 130th Boston Marathon opens September 8, and Driedger is set to click “submit.” The legendary race, held April 20, 2026, attracts about 32,000 runners each year.
“I have competed in a race in Vegas that had 27,000 runners,” notes Driedger.
In that Vegas half-marathon, she claimed first place in her age category against 80 competitors.
More than just medals
While the wins and personal records are impressive, Driedger emphasizes the community she’s found through running.
“It’s fun to be around other runners. I especially like coming to Portage to run with the Positive Portage Runners. It’s just great to meet new people, and the experience of being in that large race is energizing,” remarks Driedger.
She has also travelled extensively for races, including winters in Arizona, where she trains in desert heat.
“It’s like running in the summertime here. You still have to get up early in the morning to beat the heat, and generally it’s very dry. That’s a benefit,” notes Driedger.
Looking ahead
Her journey doesn’t stop at Boston. Driedger has smaller Winnipeg races planned this fall, along with a 50K in Bowman, North Dakota.
“That would be my longest distance that I would attempt,” says Driedger.
As for Boston, her focus is simple.
“The goal is basically just to enjoy it and have a good time. The challenge is always to qualify,” mentions Driedger.
For Driedger, that challenge has already been met twice. Now, she’s ready to turn her treadmill dream into the real thing, on one of the world’s most famous marathon courses.
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