Joan Benoit Samuelson, 61, to attempt sub-3 at Chicago
If successful, the previous Chicago course record-holder and 1984 Olympic champion would make history as the first woman over 60 to go sub-3
On Sunday, Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first-ever women’s Olympic marathon in 1984, will attempt to become the first woman over 60 ever to run a sub-three-hour marathon. The current 60-64 record of 3:01:30 was set in 2010 by New Zealander Bernardine Portenski, who died of ovarian cancer last year at age 67.
Samuelson turned 61 in May.
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According to Women’s Running, Samuelson was planning an attempt at sub-3 last year, but a knee injury prevented her from racing.
In addition to her 1984 Olympic gold medal, Samuelson has won the Boston Marathon twice (in 1979 and 1983). Her 1985 course record at Chicago stood for more than 15 years.
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