Loretta Claiborne | The Legacy

Presented by York County Community Foundation

BY MARLENA SCHUGT | BLOOM PROGRAM MANAGER

Many people are familiar with the story of Loretta Claiborne as an athlete superstar, but if you ask Loretta what it’s like being such an icon, she’ll insist she’s “just a Yorker.” Despite Loretta’s incredible accomplishments, including the completion of 26 marathons, winning dozens of Special Olympics medals, holding the current record for women in her age group for the 5000-meter run, and being presented an ESPY Award by Denzel Washington, she remains immensely humble. These accomplishments are even more incredible as Loretta was unable to walk or talk until the age of 4.

Loretta credits her school counselor for first suggesting she participate in the Special Olympics, which further ignited her passion for sports. While she has competed in running, bowling, figure skating, and tennis Olympic events, she also trains in soccer, skiing, golf, basketball, and soccer, just to name a few. Sports have always been important to Loretta, as she sees them as a vehicle to change the world. “There are three things that bring people together: food, music, and sport.”

In addition to her time training on the track for a variety of sports, Loretta has consistently made time to give back to her community. Loretta knows some people talk about leaving York, but she has always wanted to stay, keep York close to her heart, and “try to make York better, do something for the kids.”

From utilizing her hobby of knitting to make hats for premature babies in local hospitals to teaching physical health & wellness classes throughout the region, Loretta knows that giving back “…doesn’t take a lot. It might take time, but time costs more than any money.”

Loretta knows that time is important, and with her limited free time, she is intentional with how she spends it. She ensures she makes time to exercise, usually at a local YMCA class or with a run around the city. “My health is my wealth, and if I have my health, I have wealth to give.”

GET TO KNOW LORETTA:

· She can communicate in 4 languages (English, Spanish, German, and ASL) but knows greetings in many more languages. “American Sign Language is the language I love because I can use it anywhere in the world,” shares Loretta.

· Her favorite local place to grab a bite to eat is The Breakfast Store in Penn Market.

· Loretta has traveled to an unfathomable number of counties and states, but she really hopes to see Mount Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, and other wonders of the United States.

· She loves choir music, with the African Children’s Choir being one of her favorites.