🏅On August 5, 1984 American Joan Benoit wins first Olympic marathon for women (2:24:52) several hundred meters ahead of Grete Waitz of Norway at the Los Angeles Olympic Games. An highly accomplished runner, Benoit held the fastest time for an American woman at the Chicago Marathon for 32 years after winning the race in 1985 and her time at the Boston Marathon was the fastest time by an American woman at that race for 28 years. Benoit enjoyed success at non-marathon distances as well, winning th

Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first-ever women’s marathon Olympic Champion, reflects on the growth of the sport over the last 40 years. | NBC Olympics & Paralympics