[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.

The failure to receive any support from Athletics Canada resulted in questions being asked in the Canadian Parliament.

[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.

[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.