Fan Benno-Caris for Addison City Council | About Fan | Vote May 9th

Fan Benno-Caris began competitive racewalking in 1988 at age 70; at 77, she entered World Championship Competition; ages when most athletes are retired or retiring. In beauty and talent competition Fan became Ms. Texas Senior America for the Year 2005. Fan's Axiom is: “I Just Forgot to Get Older!”

This petite, energetic, boundlessly enthusiastic great-grandmother became a World Gold Medalist and World Record holder many times over. At the 2004 USA Track and Field Indoor Championships in Boston, she broke — no, smashed — the existing World Indoor 3000 meter Record for Women 85–89 by 1 minute and 37 seconds. This record will likely stand for a long time.

Fan is unique and spectacular at whatever she does; her service on the Addison Town Council will be the same. Support and vote for Fan — for You. She is our “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” for the times we face.

Who Is Fan Benno-Caris?

I come from a Texas business and political family. My two brothers and my Father were all business owners during and after the last great Depression. My Father was for 16 years the Mayor of Dublin, Texas. I knew his good friends Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn and Vice-President John Nance Garner.

I was one of Dallas’s early woman Commercial Real Estate Brokers more than 50 years ago. I remained in that career until after my three sons were educated in college and graduate schools. I raised a family through the most challenging economic times.

I have had first hand experience with the development of Dallas banking and its leaders. My first husband served for more than 50 years as the Assistant to R.L. Thornton, the founder of the Mercantile Bank.

I have achieved World Champion ranking as a Masters Athlete for the United States through the dedication and discipline that required. I entered every race in my life intending to win. I hold dozens of Gold and Silver Medals, several World and USA Track & Field National records.

I competed for and served as Ms. Texas Senior America Queen for 2005.

I have served countless counseling clients for more than 40 years through a wide range of their business, financial and personal situations. I continue to serve leaders and their families in that capacity.

I am a graduate of the Addison Citizen’s Academy. My husband, Dr. John Clayton Caris, and I have been Addison homeowners since 1992.

In short - I have seen it all, and worked through it all, during the last 75 years as an adult. One thing I am sure about leadership today - It CANNOT be done by looking in the Rear-View Mirror following the status-quo as so many are trying to do. The conditions ahead of us for the next several years will be chaotic and discontinuous from what now exists - There will soon be powerful shifts in citizen feelings and actions. They CANNOT be handled by status-quo thought or action.

I have meaningful reasons to serve now - I have the wisdom, experience and energy to do it. In my judgment, I am needed. Vote for Me for You.

My specific positions on important issues for Addison are given on the Issues page and my blog where you can interact with each other and with me.

— Fan Benno-Caris

Athletic Career

Fan's athletic career is more than a powerful list of medals, records and honors. It is a testament to her inner strength as a human being and her determination to serve. She says in her speeches, "My goal in life is to help others to motivate themselves", "Just Keep Moving" and "I just forgot to get older".

Complete Summary of Fan's Athletic Achievements

She often begins a motivational talk with, "I want to let you in on a secret. I am having a love affair at (Whatever her age is then). And my husband does not even care!" After the inevitable laughter, she says, "Yes, I am having a Love Affair with Life! And you can Too."

One of her Media Releases tells a fascinating story about this amazing human who is your candidate for Addison City Council.

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23 August 2003

RELEASE DATE: IMMEDIATE, Addison, Texas

FAN DOES IT AGAIN AT 85 YEARS OLD – HER GREATEST COMEBACK – TO WIN SEVEN GOLD WORLD AND U.S. MEDALS & SET TWO NEW RECORDS;

REMAINS INSPIRATION TO YOUTH AND MATURE FOR LIFETIME FITNESS

(Dallas Texas) FAN, a.k.a. Fan Benno-Caris of Addison, Texas, is known for relentless comebacks from injury to achieve even greater racewalking results in U.S National and International competitions. Once again she has “Broken the Age Barrier”. This time at 85. The last four months, starting in April 2003, are the culmination of her most amazing story of crisis and comeback – to date. Seven Gold Medals (Three World Master Athletic medals, Two National USAT&F medals, Two Regional USAT&F medals) and Two Records (One World record and One US National record).


The story begins in Brisbane Australia in July 2001 where she won two World Masters Athletic Championship medals – The Gold Medal in the 10,000 meter Racewalk and the Silver Medal in the 5,000 meter Racewalk. During those races she was aware that there was something wrong with her energy and stamina, but she won medals in spite of it.

Read More. . .

See an important announcement from Fan Benno-Caris on recent campaign events.

Read Fan's latest blog entry.