Butler was born in Edinburgh of English parents and brought up in Edinburgh and the Isle of Wight until her parents emigrated to Ontario, Canada when she was 10.[1] She attended the University of Guelph, Canada before transferring to the University of Wisconsin, USA. In 2004, she was inducted into the University of Wisconsin hall of fame.[2] In 2005, she was inducted into the University of Guelph hall of fame.[3]
As a member of the cross country and track teams at the University of Wisconsin, Butler was a five-time NCAA Champion and a 13-time All-American. In the 1995-96 season, Butler received the Honda Sports Award, given to the top women in collegiate athletics.[4][5][6]
Canada
While in college she competed for Canada in the 5,000 metres at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.[7] She finished seventh in her heat and did not advance to the final.
The failure to receive any support from Athletics Canada resulted in questions being asked in the Canadian Parliament. [8]
Great Britain
In 2000, she switched to competing internationally for Great Britain.[9]
In 2001, Butler finished 12th at the World Cross Country Championships (4 k race), won the European Cup 3000m[10] and also placed third in the 5,000 metres at the Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.[11]
During the IAAF World Championships Olga Yegorova, who had shown positive for the blood-boosting agent erythropoietin in tests conducted by a Paris lab escaped suspension because procedures were improperly observed, her presence at the World Championships kept Butler out of the World Championship final.[12]
In 2002 Butler missed out on competing for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games after she was diagnosed with osteitis pubis.[13] In 2004, she finished 11th at the World Cross Country Championships (8 km race) in Brussels, winning a bronze medal with the British team. Running for Great Britain at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Butler finished 12th in the 10,000 metres with a time of 31:41.13.[14]
In 2005 Butler won the meet at the Venta de Baños Cross Country.[15] Later in the year she debuted in the marathon with 2:30:01 at the Chicago Marathon.[16]
Butler was an assistant coach at both Stanford University and University of Wisconsin.[4] Butler was coached for much of her post collegiate career by Peter Tegen [17] and at the end of her career by former marathon world record holder Steve Jones.[18]
Personal life
In 1994 Butler was diagnosed with Graves' disease, a disorder of the thyroid gland.[1]
Butler has a maple leaf tattooed on her ankle, along with the five-ring Olympic insignia.[19]
Canada 
Great Britain
