Legendary Marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson to Compete at the ING New York City Marathon 2009
Samuelson returns to the streets of New York to add a golden touch to the 40th running of the five-borough classic on Sunday, November 1
New York, August 5, 2009 --Twenty-five years to the day after Joan Benoit Samuelson's historic gold medal victory in the first women's Olympic marathon, in Los Angeles in 1984, New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg announced today that the famed marathoner will run in the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday, November 1.
"Joanie was the all-American girl winning at home and it was a moment that is indelibly etched in our memories," said Wittenberg. "Now, 25 years later, Joanie is still running and creating new memories for all of us. Her participation in the 40th running of the ING New York City Marathon adds a golden glow to the festivities planned."
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.
VIDEO PICK - JOAN BENOIT WINNING OLYMPIC GOLD 25 YEARS AGO
Today marks the 25th anniversary of Joan Benoit's victory in the first-ever Olympic Games Marathon for women in Los Angeles. Watch this five minute video by Fancy Boy Productions and be inspired by one of our sport's greatest champions.
