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Grete Waitz: Legendary runner and woman of valor

Posted January 21st, 2007 at 5:30 PM by Jenna Sumara

Section: News & Results, Marathons, Columns, SPOTLIGHT

In the world of competitive running, a bulk of the media’s attention and fanfare is placed on men. This is really unfortunate as there has been, and continues to be, truly spectacular female athletes. Legendary runner Grete Waitz is a perfect example.

From track and field to marathons, she has done it all, and done it well. Perhaps her most well known success comes from being a nine time winner of the New York City Marathon. She is the only runner, female or male, to come anywhere near that record streak of domination.

Growing up in Oslo, Norway - Waitz won several national junior titles in both the 400 and the 800 meters. By the time she was 17 she had set the European junior record in the 1500 meters with an impressive time of 4:17. In 1974, she won a bronze medal for the metric mile distance in the European Championship

Then in 1978, Waitz received an invitation to a race that would become one of the major milestones in her career. She received an invitation to run in the New York City Marathon. In what would become the first of nine wins, she crossed the line with a new world record time of 2:32:30. Her amazing speed and ability to persevere would enable her win eight more times in the New York City Marathon: 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983,1984, 1985, 1986 and 1988. She also set world records in 1978, 1979 and 1980.

If that wasn’t enough Waitz continued to compete in track and cross-country and she won five world cross-country championships. In 1984, she competed in the first women’s marathon in the Olympic Games where she was awarded with a silver medal.

After having an unbelievable record in regards to marathon running, Waitz retired from professional racing, but still remains an active part of the running world. She is a spokeswoman for Avon Running and she was the first foreign runner to be inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.

Last year’s ING New York City marathon was dedicated to Waitz as she continues her successful, but also difficult, battle with cancer. Our Editor, Adam Jacobs, had the fortunate opportunity to spend some time with Waitz during the pre-race events at the Tavern on the Green. Adam told me:

“Speaking with Grete was an honor that I will always cherish … She shows incredible strength when she discusses her struggle with cancer … She is modest, but at the same time, has a certain grace and way about her that commands admiration.”

Waitz, who learned she had cancer in April 2005, said she was motivated to fight her disease by Lance Armstrong after reading his book. She was able to meet him at the marathon and would later place the marathon’s finisher medal on Armstrong once he crossed the finish line. Waitz also told Adam that Armstrong sent her an email while she was going through a really tough time and was suffering from the radiation therapy. The message said:

“Like me – you are a fighter and I know you are gonna beat this shitty disease.”

Armstrong, who has been an incredible inspiration for countless people around the world, was certainly correct – Waitz was also a fighter and she continues to be one today.

Thankfully, Waitz has been doing very well; beating the disease and showing the same unique and powerful strength that earned her a plethora of running accolades.

michelle said:

Dear Grete,

You have been my hero for many years. One day my mother and I were running on the waterfront in San Francisco, jogging in perspective to your pace, and you flew by us going in the opposite direction. It was only after several seconds that I realized who I had just seen fly by. I grabbed my mother’s arm and stopped so suddenly I scared her. I looked at her and said, “Do you know who that was?” and she replied,
“No,who was it?” I just looked at her.
“That was Grete. She was right THERE, mom.”
“Grete WHO?”, she asked.

I just stood there in a confused state of awe and frustration, staring after you, hoping to see a glimpse of your shirt or something. But you slipped away.

Try educating an elder about your hero who is still living and in fact just passed you on the sidewalk.

You are fabulous.
M.Anderson
November 17th, 2007 at 6:35 am