Joan Benoit-Samuelson iffy on Orono nationals
Joan Benoit-Samuelson, who made herself a legend by winning the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon in 1984, turned 50 this past week and is still very active as a road runner. She lives in Freeport, Maine, just down I-95 from Orono — where the masters nationals are being held this August. So the big question is: Will she journey up the freeway for some 5K or 10K action? She replied today with a definitive: We’ll see.
Punching keys on her Blackberry, Joanie wrote me:
Currently in Colorado with an injured foot sustained in OKC three weeks ago. Was able to make it through a leg of the Denver-Coflax Marathon this morning.
Have thought of the Outdoor Nationals, but it is a very busy time for me with the B2B later in the (coming) week and the Bix 7 the weekend before the Nationals.
I’ll see if I can get this foot back and get some rest from travel before that time.
In my original email (a belated happy Bday note), I listed the W50 track world records for 5K and 10K:
17:17.02 Jutta Pedersen SWE 50 25.07.97
35:37.0 Valborg Ostverk NOR 50 26.07.81
Joanie ended her note to me by asking, revealingly: “What are the ARs for the 5 and 10K distances on the roads and track?”
I replied, in part:
The listed 5K track AR for W50 is 17:25.6 by Shirley Matson in 1991.
The listed 10K track AR for W50 is 37:12.23 by Kathryn Martin in 2004.
On the roads, the listed W50 AR for 5K is 17:28 by Shirley Matson.
The listed W50 AR for 10K is 35:57 Shirley Matson
In 2003, Bob Weiner lured Joan and Bill Rodgers to the USATF masters indoor nationals in Boston, where Joan set a W45 American record at 3000 meters. She knows the masters track drill.
So we’ll have to keep an eye on the ovals and asphalt for the half-century lady.
She ain’t done yet.
May 22 addition: Joanie ran a 5K leg and then a 12K leg in Denver, despite doctor’s warnings. Then she planned to do some mountain climbing, according to this article. She’s unstoppable.
