The first woman to compete in the New Orleans Turkey Day Race was Barbara Gorrondona, who ran it in 1969. The next year, perhaps inspired by Ms. Gorrondona, there were four female competitors. One of them was 16-year old Alicia Sabi, a sophomore at Ursuline Academy. Alicia covered the 5 mile distance in a time of 31:52, but back then, everybody ran the race with an assigned handicap time, based on age and demonstrated ability. Alicia used her 12 minute handicap to earn the overall victory, beating not only the other three women, but also the 108 male runners, becoming the first female runner to ever win an NOTC race.

Over the next decade, Alicia Sabi Courtney became the first great female runner in club history, establishing a record of race victories that is unparalleled in New Orleans road racing. She was the first female champion of the Crescent City Classic in 1979, sharing the podium with Frank Shorter, and notched wins in dozens of notable New Orleans area races, including consecutive wins at Jackson Day, Turkey Day, Larry Fuselier 25k and the Ole Man River Half Marathon. Alicia Courtney easily qualifies for our hall of fame based on her running achievements, but today we also honor her important role as a trailblazer for the surge in women's running and fitness that continues to this day. We are proud to welcome Alicia Sabi Courtney to the New Orleans Track Club Hall of Fame.