Be inspired by these women's marathon achievements.
Women’s participation in professional running events has a long history, especially when it comes to the long distance events of the half and full marathon. Here’s a top five of all-time running heroines, whose perseverance and achievements continue to inspire runners the world over.
5. Constantina Diţă
One of the most successful Romanian athletes of all time, Constantina Diţă won the marathon at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. What makes her achievement more special is that it makes her the oldest runner – male or female – to win an Olympic marathon.
4. Catherine Ndereba
Nicknamed Catherine the Great, Catherine Ndereba is a Kenyan runner who has been lauded as one of the greatest female marathoners of all time. She won the Boston marathon four times and broke the women's world marathon record in Chicago in 2001 with a time of 02:18:47.
3. Joan Benoit
American athlete Joan Benoit earned her place in the history books when she won the first women's marathon at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. She was 27 years old and won by setting a pace which put her out in front and alone most of the way. Listen to the crowd greet her as she enters the stadium for the final stretch of her race.
2. Kathrine Switzer
Kathrine Switzer (USA) was the first woman to run and finish the Boston marathon in 1967, five years before women were officially admitted. She entered the race as K.V. Switzer so organisers would not know she was a woman. During the race she managed to escape a physical attempt to have her removed from the course by officials. (Listen to Switzer recall the race, and talk about her mission to improve women's participation in running.) She went on to run 35 marathons and won the New York City marathon in 1974.
1. Paula Radcliffe
Paula Radcliffe is the world record holder for the women's marathon at 02:15:25. With her time, achieved at the 2003 London marathon, she smashed her own previous world record by one minute and 53 seconds. The English athlete has an impressively consistent winning standard, always managing to come back, even from serious injuries. Besides the marathon record, she currently holds an amazing nine other world records and world bests, including on the 10km and half marathon.
Who's on your top five?
What's your top five list of running heroines? Leave your comments below!
