The First to 300 Lb.

Karyn Marshall placed sixth in the Masters 55-60 category at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games. However, competition is nothing new for this veteran weightlifter. Marshall was the first woman to exceed 300 lb. in the clean and jerk.

Marshall set a Guinness Book of World Records standard for her achievement because at that time there were no women’s weightlifting competitions at the national or world level.

Marshall says she enjoys CrossFitting more than she did weightlifting.

“It’s more fun,” she says. “Back in September of 2010, I went into CrossFit Shrewsbury with Stef Hicks, and I fell in love with CrossFit, and I haven’t stopped since.”

She continues: “I am definitely more fit. I was a specialist and proud of it. But now I’m better at more things, and I’m fitter, I’m leaner.”

After the final event at the Games, Marshall expresses her exhilaration.

“It’s so much more fun as a Master,” she says. “I’m having a blast. This weekend, I’m just so thrilled to be here. I’m honored to be here.”

9min 42sec

Additional reading: Hear Her Roar by Andréa Maria Cecil, published March 3, 2011.