Joan Benoit Samuelson, née Joan Benoit, (May 16, 1957) is an American marathon runner who was the first women's Olympic Games marathon champion, winning the gold medal at the 1984 Summer …

Joan Benoit Samuelson (born May 16, 1957, Cape Elizabeth, Maine, U.S.) is an American long-distance runner who won the first Olympic gold medal awarded for the women’s marathon, which debuted at …

Mar 4, 2024 · On Sunday in Tokyo, Joan Benoit Samuelson completed all six World Marathon Majors, earning her final star at age 66.

Joan has given back to Maine quietly in countless ways, working actively in support of environmental stewardship, health and fitness, childhood development, and education. Board and public service …

In August 1984, Joan Benoit Samuelson arrived in Los Angeles to compete in the first-ever Olympic marathon for women. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had previously banned women …

Oct 13, 2025 · Joan Benoit Samuelson, the 1984 Olympic marathon champion and one of the most influential figures in American running, quietly returned to competition at the 2025 Bank of America …

May 22, 2024 · Joan Benoit Samuelson was honored by the Maine Historical Society as its 2024 Maine History Maker on Tuesday. The long-distance runner from Cape Elizabeth won the first ever Olympic …

Joan Benoit Samuelson shocked the world when she made a risky early break at the inaugural women’s Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles in 1984. She ran alone for the final 21 miles of the race and …

The winner of the first Olympic women's marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Joan Benoit Samuelson is synonymous with the increased popularity of long distance running in the …

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