Celebrity - The WomenJoan 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)
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