News — Samuelson returns to run New York City Marathon

NEW YORK –1984 Olympic Women’s Marathon Champion Joan Benoit Samuelson will return to New York to run the New York City Marathon for her fifth time, according to a statement from the New York Marathon that came 25 years after winning her gold medal in Los Angeles. The New York City Marathon will be held this year on November 1st, 2009.

“Joanie was the all-American girl winning at home and it was a moment that is indelibly etched in our memories,” said New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg. “Her participation in the 40th running of the ING New York City Marathon adds a golden glow to the festivities planned.”

For a great clip with classic video from Joan Benoit Samuelson’s 1984 Olympic run, watch the video below.

Samuelson, 52, of Freeport, ME, will be competing in her fifth New York City Marathon having finished the 2001 event in 2 hours, 42 minutes, 56 seconds — the second fastest time in the 40+ division that year. Samuelson also competed in 1988 (third, 2:32:40), 1991 (sixth, 2:33:48), and 1998 (first master at age 41, 2:41:06). A two-time Boston Marathon winner and a former marathon world-record holder, Samuelson continues to compete; she plans to run the CIGNA Falmouth Road Race this weekend.

“Realizing that the 25th anniversary of my Olympic run coincides with the 40th edition of the ING New York City Marathon stirred my desire to run,” said Samuelson. “This will be more than a jog down memory lane. This is the incentive I needed to get out there one more time.”

In the 1984 Olympic marathon, Samuelson broke away from the pack early and maintained her lead, crossing the finish line in 2:24:52 — at the time, the third-fastest women’s marathon ever — despite having had arthroscopic surgery on her knee 17 days before the trials earlier that year. Nine-time New York City Marathon winner Grete Waitz finished a minute and a half behind Samuelson to take the silver medal.

Samuelson will be setting her sights on the New York City Marathon 50+ division record of 2:53:53, set by S. Rae Baymiller in 1993.

Running Advice and News
www.running-advice.com

No related posts.