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Joan Benoit Samuelson, who became a 'first' in Olympics history, continues to advocate for fitness, health
October 26, 2011
Joan Benoit Samuelson will give a talk Thursday, Nov. 3, at noon in the Russell House Theater.
Olympic gold medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first woman to win the marathon at the Olympics, will be a featured guest speaker Thursday, Nov. 3, at the University of South Carolina.
"There Is No Finish Line" will be the title of the talk by Samuelson, whose visit is sponsored by USC's Arnold School of Public Health and the Department of Exercise Science.
The event, which is free and open to the University community and the public, will be at noon in the Russell House Theater.
Samuelson's name is synonymous with women's running. She began running track in high school in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, and continued to excel as a runner at Bowdoin College. She received All-American honors in cross-country and track and won the Boston Marathon in 1979, setting an American and course record, all before she graduated. Samuelson won the Boston Marathon again in 1983, this time breaking the world record.
One year later, at age 27, Samuelson won the gold medal in the first women's marathon at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. It was the year that the women's marathon was introduced to the Olympics competition.
In 1985, Samuelson won the Chicago Marathon with an American record time of 2:21:21.
She is a consultant to Nike, Inc., and a clinician, conducting numerous running, health and fitness clinics throughout the United States and the world. A motivational speaker, Samuelson gives talks to corporations, civic groups, schools, and athletes. She is the author of two books, her autobiography "Running Tide" (Knopf, 1987), and "Joan Samuelson's Running for Women" (Rodale Press, 1995).
Samuelson founded the TD Bank 10K in 1998 as a way to give back to the sport that she loves. The race, which attracts more than 6,000 runners annually, benefits a different children's charity each year. More than 10,000 spectators attend every year, making it one of hottest summer tickets in New England.
Samuelson has been inducted into the Olympic Hall of Fame. She is married and has two children, Abby and Anders.
During her visit to Columbia, Samuelson also will be a guest for the Governor's Cup Race on Saturday, Nov. 5.
For more information about the event, call Karen Magradey at 777-3471.
