Running Celebrities
The Women
The Men
The Women
Joan Benoit Samuelson
The only American woman to have ever won an Olympic Gold medal in the marathon event. Truly an inspiration, Joan currently resides in Maine, where she founded the Beacon to Beacon 10K race. (Learn more about her at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame; www.distancerunning.com)
Katherine Switzer
In 1967 she was the first woman to run Boston wearing an official race number. She went on to establish the Avon Running Program, a 26-race circuit for women including 10K runs and 5K walks (Learn more about her at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame; www.distancerunning.com)
Nina Kuscsik
The first woman to run the New York City marathon, and the first female winner of the Boston marathon. She also introduced changes in the rules that allowed women to run the marathon distance in the U.S. and to hold U.S. championships. She also helped establish the women’s marathon event in the Olympics.(Learn more about her at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame; www.distancerunning.com)
Mary Decker Slaney
Set many records, and recognized since the age of 14, but also described as “the greatest runner who never won an Olympic medal.” (www.hickoksports.com)
Greta Waitz
9-Time NYC Marathon winner! (Learn more about her at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame; www.distancerunning.com)
The Men
The Penguin
John Bingham, nicknamed The Penguin for his slower pace.
Hal Higdon
Runners World senior writer and avid marathon runner. He has written many books on running, including training guides such as “Marathon – The Ultimate Training and Racing Guide” and “Run Fast.”
Jeff Galloway
A US Olympian in 1972, author of running books, and Runners World columnist, Jeff has also run 116+ marathons, and developed a marathon training program for the rest of us… search his name online to find out more.
Steve Prefontaine
Wow, Steve caused a stir in the 70’s, especially in his home state of Oregon. He rose quickly through high school and college rankings to international acclaim. His talent, discipline and “star quality” drew the attention of many. He was part of the 1972 Olympics team, but he died tragically, shortly after the Olympics in a car crash (1975), at the age of 24. In the movie “Pre,” he is shown training with Bill Bowerman, running in a Nike prototype, before Nike was Nike, and he rips off the Nike swoosh logo and calls it “needless wind resistance.” Check it out: “Pre” starring Jared Leto. Also “Without Limits” with Billy Crudup.
Alberto Salazar
A celebrated runner who ran the NYC Marathon in 1980 for the first time, breaking the record for the fastest marathon debut. He won 3 NYC marathons, and also the world famous Comrades Marathon (a 53 mile race in South Africa). (Learn more about him at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame; www.distancerunning.com)
Frank Shorter
1972 Olympic marathoner, won gold. In 1976, he won silver in the marathon event. (Learn more about him at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame; www.distancerunning.com)
Pheidippides
The original ‘marathoner.’ He was the runner-messenger that established the “marathon.” Read more about Pheidippides.
