By Nina Livingstone
Becca Pizzi believes she trained her whole life to run the World Marathon Challenge, which she did in 2016, completing seven marathons in seven continents in seven consecutive days. Then, two years later, the Belmont native decided to do it again. Both times she walked away with a new world record. (The first American woman to complete the race and the only woman to do it twice.)
“My current goal is to run a marathon in all 50 states, and I just ran my 42nd state,” she recently shared with Nina’s 9.
An active member of the Belmont community, Becca believes in giving back. Her annual Becca Pizzi 5K will be held on Aug. 28. The race benefits the Becca Pizzi Foundation, which awards scholarships to Belmont High School students/athletes.
In addition to running marathons, Becca is a wife, a mother of a teenaged daughter, owns a day care center, and manages the popular ice cream shop Moozy’s in Belmont. She’s also the author of a children’s book, Becca’s Feat on Feet, that takes the reader on her journey through the World Marathon Challenge.
And at 42, Becca has no intention of slowing down. She says it’s listening to her body that has kept her injury-free. “I’m a huge believer in treating your body like a car. Fuel it properly and it will run to the best of its ability!”
NINA: What is your proudest moment?
BECCA: Besides being a mom? Definitely crossing the finish line of the World Marathon Challenge. It was very hard work leading up to the race, but representing our country and showing my daughter that you can do anything you put your mind to was so worth it. Getting into the Guinness Book of World Records was the highlight of my racing career.
NINA: What should we know about you before meeting you?
BECCA: I’m VERY approachable, come say hi when you see me! Reach out to me if you need running (or any ) advice! I love the Boston community! I have an ice cream flavor named after me, named the Becca 7, made with 7 ingredients. Come try it at Moozy’s Ice Cream Shop in Belmont!
NINA: What do you like most about yourself?
BECCA: My ability to adapt and my focus/determination.
NINA: What has been your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
BECCA: Definitely raising my daughter as she enters these high school years. Oof, they are tough. I’m teaching her to not sweat the small stuff…
NINA: What streaming series (Netflix, HBO, Hulu etc.) got you through the past pandemic winters? And which ones do you recommend or what are a few of your favorites?
BECCA: I’m not a series person, but my guilty pleasure was watching “Tiger King.” I’m more of a “48 Hours,” “20/20,” “Dateline” (I try to solve all the cases) and “Dr. Phil” kind of girl.
NINA: If you could be anywhere in the world, where would it be?
BECCA: Bora Bora! In an over-the-water bungalow!
NINA: What is your go-to place to relax?
BECCA: One hour at any spa! It’s the ONLY time I completely silence my phone.
NINA: What is the one thing you can’t live without?
BECCA: Starbucks.
NINA: If you could invite four celebrities for dinner, who would they be? And what would you serve?
BECCA: Oprah, Adam Sandler, Michael Jackson, and Billy Joel. In that order. Serving? Becca 7 ice cream, extra sprinkles!
NINA: Picture it: You’re 25 years old, where would you be and what would you do differently.
BECCA: I’d live in Back Bay Boston. I think it would be so cool to step outside of your home and be in the heart of Boston at 25 years old!
