grete waitz is a norwegian marathon runner who won nine new york city marathons between 1978 and 1988. she also won a silver medal at the 1984 summer olympics in los angeles. today grete is widely acknowledged as helping to promote marathon and long-distance running for women.
locations:
thursday, october 30th, 4:30-5:30pm
new york running company: the shops at columbus circle, #210 59th st.
friday, october 31st, 1:00-2:00pm
urban athletics: 2 world financial center, 225 liberty st.
saturday, november 1st, 2:00-3:00pm
paragon sports: 867 broadway
background info:
born in oslo, norway, grete was a talented youngster in athletics, but had difficulty in getting her parents to take her potential profession seriously as this was a time when female athletes were not given the necessary support and funding needed to compete at the top level.
in 1975 grete broke the 3000 meters world record twice, but was gradually upping her distance until she found the marathon the comfortable race for her. it was in 1978 that her association with the new york marathon began, winning it nine times overall and breaking the world record on several occasions.
although not competing at the top level today, grete still runs in and organizes corporate races in which she aims to give advice and information on distance running and health. she also does a lot of charity work, particularly for the care international and the international special olympics. in norway grete is a sporting legend, with an annual race named after her in her honor. there is also a statue of her outside the bislett stadium in oslo, and she has been featured on a set of stamps.
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