She came of age in the era when the distances women were allowed to compete in were restricted, when it was thought that female runners would do lasting bodily damage-specifically to their reproductive system-if they raced longer than a mile. Although opportunities started opening up for girls and women in sport, equality in running wasn’t realized until much later. When Title IX was passed in 1972, Samuelson was a sophomore in high school.
Here are just three reasons why we send our gratitude to Joanie-and why we’ll be cheering her on once again on April 15 in Boston. “He looked at me like I was crazy or something and said, ‘You just passed those hills.’”ĭuring Women’s History Month, the announcement on Friday stirs something special while reflecting not only Benoit Samuelson’s success, but also her dedication to uplifting the sport for all women through every phase of her career. “I got to the top of the Heartbreak Hills and I just passed the pre-race favorite, Patti Catalano, and I looked at the runner next to me and I said, ‘So where are these so-called Heartbreak Hills?’” Benoit Samuelson said, during a 2013 interview with WMUR. Though she had an appreciation for the prestige of the race, she hadn’t even studied the course. She crossed the finish line on Boylston Street in 2:35:15 wearing a Bowdoin singlet-and ever the gritty New Englander, a Boston Red Sox hat.īack then she didn’t have a clear concept of the magnitude of the win-or any inclination she’d go on to win it again in 1983 in 2:22:43 (then a world record). In 1979, Benoit Samuelson, a Maine native, was just a 21-year-old senior in college. “I might as well celebrate during an anniversary year, while I’m still able!” “My goal is to run within 40 minutes of my time 40 years ago, which would be sub-3:15:35,” she said, in a written statement. The Boston Athletic Association announced on Friday that Joan Benoit Samuelson, who won the 1984 gold medal in the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon, is running the 2019 Boston Marathon, marking the 40th anniversary of her first victory at the historic race. That’s what happens when you’re a legend.
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