2011 Redding (CA)
Sad news ...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110419/ap_on_sp_ot/ath_obit_waitz
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=6387774
about a great champion and ambassador for the sport of running. Grete and Joan Benoit Samuelson were larger than life heroes in the 1980s and great role models for both male and female athletes. And to have won the New York City Marathon 9 times ... says volumes about her talent.
2011 Redding Marathon (CA), 2011 Yakima Marathon (WA), 2011 Eugene Marathon (OR), 2011 Newport Marathon (OR)
2011 Pacific Crest Marathon (OR), 2011 Smith Rock Summer Classic Half (OR), 2011 Haulin' Aspen Trail Half (OR)
2011 Running is for the Birds 10Km (OR), 2011 Sunriver Marathon (OR)
What a great story:
http://marathon.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/waitz-and-lebow-a-friendship-for-the-ages/
No doubt many others will say kind things about this true champion. Did any of you see Grete run?
Another very touching article ...
http://footloose.runnersworld.com/2011/04/remembering-grete-waitz.html
by Amby Burfoot (a very good marathoner from years past).
Joan Benoit (Samuelson) and Grete Waitz would finish first and second in the inaugural Women's Marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games. That helped jump-start the second marathon boom in America. By most accounts, we are now in the third marathon boom ... with women leading the way.
Never got to see her run, but her legacy is larger than life.
Thanks for the links, Istvan.
You're welcome.