Joan Benoit Samuelson, 43 years old, is easily one of the all-time great marathoners the world has ever seen. In 1984, when Los Angeles hosted the first Olympic women's marathon, few runners knew who Joan was or what impact her running would make in the world during the 1980s. Among women runners, Joan's name is at the top of the list for speed, respect, and perseverance. At the tender age of 26, Joan made her name shine around the globe. Merely 17 days after an agonizing knee surgery, Joan won the 1984 Olympic Trials. She was the winner of the first Olympic women's marathon that same year. Since then, Joan has won the Boston Marathon (1983), holds the record for the Chicago Marathon (1985), and holds the U.S. record for the second fastest time ever by a woman. Her pace and dedication are not to be taken lightly.
A typical running schedule for someone like Joan Benoit Samuelson is grueling. Some marathons run up to 200 miles each week, that is the distance that Joan was running early in her marathon career. After her win in the Olympics, the quest to run again for Team USA has been hampered by injuries, and a new set of runners who are just as determined and dedicated to the sport as Joan. In early February, 1996, Joan's quest for a spot on the 1996 Olympic team ended with a time of 2:36.54, thirteenth place and just seven minutes behind the first-place finisher. When Joan was beginning her career as a runner, this time would have easily earned her a spot on the team. This fact proves how influential and competitive Joan's professional life has been on today's runners. Joan's career has been strengthened through the years, and to call her old or rusty would be a sin to the young women runners. Joan is an all-American in most eyes - men and women alike - who respect her for being at the top of the sport while still balancing a tough training schedule with a professional life and family life. However, Joan's personality and popularity have become synonymous with running marathons.
