JB
Photo: Goyk (talk)—CC BY-SA 3.0
Joan Benoit-Samuelson
USAWomenBirth dateMay 16, 1957
BirthplaceCape Elizabeth, United States
Height1.57 m
Weight46 kg
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 Olympics in Los Angeles.
She held the fastest time for an American woman at the Chicago Marathon for 32 years after winning the race in 1985.
Her time at the Boston Marathon was the fastest time by an American woman in that race for 28 years She was inducted into the Maine Women's Hall of Fame in 2000.
Key facts
10 Kilometres Road
31:37
Medals
Olympic Games: 1 gold
Age
69 years old
As of Sep 19, 2026: Marathon 2:21:21 (#159 all-time), 10 Kilometres Road 31:37, 2019 season best 3:05:18 (Apr 15, 2019, Berlin (GER)) · Last competition: BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Berlin, Sep 29, 2019, 3:02:21 · Olympic Games: 1 gold · 69 years old
PB
Personal bests
4:36.48
15:43.1HT
17:28
8:53.55
50:13
31:37
53:18=
4:36.48
15:50.34
30:41
1:24:43
🏅
Medals
| 🥇 | 🥈 | 🥉 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games | 1 | - | - | 1 |
Performance Charts
Season bests
| Season | Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Trend | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Marathon | 3:05:18 | - | Apr 15, 2019 | ↓ | B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Boston, MA |
| 2015 | Marathon | 2:54:03 | - | Apr 20, 2015 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 2014 | Marathon | 2:52:10 | - | Apr 21, 2014 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 2013 | Marathon | 2:50:29 | - | Apr 15, 2013 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 2012 | 10MilesRoa | 1:02:30 | - | Apr 1, 2012 | ↓ | Washington, DC (USA) |
| 2011 | 10Kilometr | 38:18 | - | Jun 26, 2011 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2011 | Semi | 1:24:52 | - | Feb 20, 2011 | ↓ | Austin, TX (USA) |
| 2011 | Marathon | 2:51:29 | - | Apr 18, 2011 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 2010 | 5Kilometre | 17:39 | - | Sep 19, 2010 | ↓ | Providence, RI (USA) |
| 2010 | 5MilesRoad | 30:41 | - | Nov 25, 2010 | - | Andover, MA (USA) |
| 2010 | 10Kilometr | 36:46 | - | Jun 12, 2010 | ↓ | Green Bay, WI (USA) |
| 2010 | 10MilesRoa | 1:00:52 | - | Apr 11, 2010 | ↓ | Washington, DC (USA) |
| 2010 | Semi | 1:23:15 | - | Mar 20, 2010 | ↓ | Washington, DC (USA) |
| 2010 | Marathon | 2:47:50 | - | Oct 10, 2010 | ↓ | Chicago Marathon |
| 2009 | 5Kilometre | 17:28 | - | May 30, 2009 | ↓ | Albany, NY (USA) |
| 2009 | 10Kilometr | 36:13 | - | Jun 13, 2009 | ↓ | Green Bay, WI (USA) |
| 2009 | 10MilesRoa | 1:00:34 | - | Aug 22, 2009 | ↓ | Flint, MI (USA) |
| 2009 | Semi | 1:20:37 | - | Jun 20, 2009 | ↓ | Duluth, MN (USA) |
| 2009 | Marathon | 2:49:09 | - | Nov 1, 2009 | ↓ | New York City Marathon |
| 2008 | 5Kilometre | 17:50 | - | May 31, 2008 | ↓ | Albany, NY (USA) |
| 2008 | 10Kilometr | 36:16 | - | Oct 13, 2008 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2008 | 10MilesRoa | 1:01:52 | - | Sep 27, 2008 | ↓ | Lynchburg, VA (USA) |
| 2008 | Marathon | 2:49:08 | - | Apr 20, 2008 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2007 | 10Kilometr | 36:50 | - | Oct 8, 2007 | ↓ | US Women's 10km Championships |
| 2006 | 10Kilometr | 37:26 | - | Oct 9, 2006 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2005 | 10Kilometr | 36:31 | - | Oct 10, 2005 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2005 | Marathon | 2:46:27 | - | Oct 2, 2005 | ↓ | St. Paul (USA) |
| 2004 | Semi | 1:25:41 | - | Oct 24, 2004 | ↓ | San Francisco, CA (USA) |
| 2003 | 5Kilometre | 17:37 | - | May 31, 2003 | ↓ | Albany, NY (USA) |
| 2003 | Semi | 1:18:44 | - | Oct 5, 2003 | ↓ | Portland, OR (USA) |
| 2003 | Marathon | 2:53:54 | - | Dec 14, 2003 | ↓ | Honolulu, HI (USA) |
| 2002 | 10Kilometr | 36:52 | - | Jul 21, 2002 | ↓ | London (GBR) |
| 2002 | Marathon | 2:42:28 | - | Oct 13, 2002 | ↓ | Chicago Marathon |
| 2001 | 10Kilometr | 35:29 | - | Oct 8, 2001 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 2001 | Marathon | 2:42:56 | - | Nov 4, 2001 | ↓ | New York Marathon |
| 2000 | Marathon | 2:39:59 | - | Feb 26, 2000 | ↓ | Columbia, SC (USA) |
| 1998 | Marathon | 2:41:06 | - | Nov 1, 1998 | ↓ | New York Marathon |
| 1997 | 15Kilometr | 53:23 | - | Jul 13, 1997 | ↓ | Utica, NY (USA) |
| 1996 | Marathon | 2:36:54 | - | Feb 10, 1996 | ↓ | Columbia, SC (USA) |
| 1994 | 15Kilometr | 53:09 | - | May 22, 1994 | ↓ | Valley, ME (USA) |
| 1993 | Marathon | 2:35:43 | - | Apr 19, 1993 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 1992 | Marathon | 2:32:20 | - | Oct 11, 1992 | ↓ | Columbus, OH (USA) |
| 1991 | 15Kilometr | 52:46 | - | Mar 24, 1991 | ↓ | Cincinnati, OH (USA) |
| 1991 | Semi | 1:13:29 | - | Sep 22, 1991 | ↓ | Toronto (CAN) |
| 1991 | Marathon | 2:26:54 | - | Apr 15, 1991 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 1990 | 15Kilometr | 50:13 | - | Jun 17, 1990 | ↓ | Portland, OR (USA) |
| 1988 | Marathon | 2:32:40 | - | Nov 6, 1988 | ↓ | New York Marathon |
| 1986 | 10MilesRoa | 53:18 | - | Apr 26, 1986 | ↓ | New York, NY (USA) |
| 1986 | 25Kilometr | 1:24:43 | - | May 10, 1986 | - | Grand Rapids, MI (USA) |
| 1985 | 15Kilometr | 50:44 | - | Mar 9, 1985 | ↓ | Jacksonville, FL (USA) |
| 1985 | Semi | 1:09:44 | - | Sep 15, 1985 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
| 1985 | Marathon | 2:21:21 | - | Oct 20, 1985 | ↓ | Chicago Marathon |
| 1984 | 10000m | 32:07.41 | - | Jun 17, 1984 | ↑ | Los Angeles, CA (USA) |
| 1984 | Semi | 1:08:34 | - | Sep 16, 1984 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
| 1984 | Marathon | 2:24:52 | - | Aug 5, 1984 | ↓ | Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA (USA) |
| 1983 | Mile | 4:36.48 | - | Feb 6, 1983 | - | Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 1983 | mile-short-track | 4:36.48 | - | Feb 6, 1983 | - | Boston, MA (USA) (i) |
| 1983 | 3000m | 8:53.49 | - | Jun 19, 1983 | ↑ | Indianapolis, IN (USA) |
| 1983 | 3000m-short-track | 8:53.55 | - | Feb 27, 1983 | - | East Rutherford, NJ (USA) (i) |
| 1983 | CrossCount | 13:57 | - | Mar 20, 1983 | ↑ | 11th IAAF World Cross Country Championships |
| 1983 | 5000m | 15:50.34 | - | Jan 8, 1983 | ↓ | Hanover, NH (USA) (i) |
| 1983 | 5000m-short-track | 15:50.34 | - | Jan 8, 1983 | - | Hanover, NH (USA) (i) |
| 1983 | 10Kilometr | 31:37 | - | Oct 10, 1983 | ↓ | Boston, MA (USA) |
| 1983 | Semi | 1:09:14 | - | Sep 18, 1983 | ↓ | Philadelphia, PA (USA) |
| 1983 | Marathon | 2:22:43 | - | Apr 18, 1983 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 1982 | 10Kilometr | 31:44 | - | Nov 21, 1982 | ↓ | Rosemont, NJ (USA) |
| 1982 | 15Kilometr | 51:08 | - | Oct 9, 1982 | ↓ | El Paso, TX (USA) |
| 1982 | 10MilesRoa | 53:18 | - | Aug 21, 1982 | ↓ | Flint, MI (USA) |
| 1982 | Marathon | 2:26:11 | - | Sep 12, 1982 | ↓ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 1981 | 15Kilometr | 50:31 | - | Mar 14, 1981 | ↓ | Jacksonville, FL (USA) |
| 1981 | 10MilesRoa | 55:28 | - | Mar 15, 1981 | ↓ | Lake Worth, FL (USA) |
| 1981 | Marathon | 2:30:17 | - | Apr 20, 1981 | ↓ | Boston Marathon |
| 1980 | CrossCount | 16:29 | - | Mar 9, 1980 | ↑ | 8th IAAF World Cross Country Championships |
| 1980 | 15Kilometr | 51:41 | - | Jun 29, 1980 | ↓ | Portland, OR (USA) |
| 1980 | 10MilesRoa | 56:16 | - | Aug 23, 1980 | ↓ | Flint, MI (USA) |
| 1979 | 3000m | 9:02.8h | - | Jun 17, 1979 | ↑ | Walnut, CA (USA) |
| 1979 | 5000m | 15:43.1h | - | May 19, 1979 | ↓ | Durham, NC (USA) |
| 1979 | 10000m | 32:52.5h | - | Jun 15, 1979 | ↑ | Walnut, CA (USA) |
| 1979 | 15Kilometr | 51:28 | - | Jun 24, 1979 | ↓ | Portland, OR (USA) |
| 1979 | 10MilesRoa | 55:42 | - | Aug 25, 1979 | ↓ | Flint, MI (USA) |
| 1979 | Marathon | 2:35:41 | - | Sep 9, 1979 | ↓ | Eugene, OR (USA) |
| 1978 | 15Kilometr | 52:08 | - | Sep 16, 1978 | ↓ | Minneapolis, MN (USA) |
| 1978 | 10MilesRoa | 57:28 | - | Jul 30, 1978 | ↓ | Brunswick, ME (USA) |
2019
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 3:02:21 | - | Sep 29 | BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Berlin |
Marathon | 3:05:18 | - | Apr 15 | B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Boston, MA |
2015
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:54:03 | - | Apr 20 | Boston Marathon |
2014
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:52:10 | - | Apr 21 | Boston Marathon |
2013
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:57:13 | - | Nov 3 | New York City Marathon |
Marathon | 2:50:29 | - | Apr 15 | Boston Marathon |
2012
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10MilesRoa | 1:02:30 | - | Apr 1 | Washington Cherry Blossom, Washington, DC |
2011
3 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10Kilometr | 38:18 | - | Jun 26 | Boston B.A.A 10-K, Boston, MA |
Marathon | 2:51:29 | - | Apr 18 | Boston Marathon |
Semi | 1:24:52 | - | Feb 20 | Austin Half Marathon, Austin, TX |
2010
9 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
5MilesRoad | 30:41 | - | Nov 25 | Andover Feaster Five Road Race 5M, Andover, MA |
Marathon | 3:03:37 | - | Oct 31 | Athens Classic Marathon, Athina |
10Kilometr | 40:29 | - | Oct 11 | Boston Tufts 10K, Boston, MA |
Marathon | 2:47:50 | - | Oct 10 | Chicago Marathon |
5Kilometre | 17:39 | - | Sep 19 | Providence CVS Caremark Downtown 5-K (US Ch.), Providence, RI |
10Kilometr | 36:46 | - | Jun 12 | Green Bay Bellin Run, Green Bay, WI |
5Kilometre | 17:48 | - | Jun 5 | Albany Freihofer's Run for Women 5K, Albany, NY |
10MilesRoa | 1:00:52 | - | Apr 11 | Washington Cherry Blossom 10 Mile, Washington, DC |
Semi | 1:23:15 | - | Mar 20 | Washington SunTrust Half Marathon, Washington, DC |
2009
7 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:49:09 | - | Nov 1 | New York City Marathon |
10Kilometr | 36:31 | - | Oct 12 | Boston Tufts 10K, Boston, MA |
10MilesRoa | 1:00:34 | - | Aug 22 | Flint Crim Festival of Races 10 Mile, Flint, MI - US 10 Mile Road Race Ch. |
Semi | 1:20:37 | - | Jun 20 | Duluth Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon, Duluth, MN |
10Kilometr | 36:13 | - | Jun 13 | Green Bay Bellin Run, Green Bay, WI |
5Kilometre | 17:28 | - | May 30 | Freihofer's Run for Women, Albany, NY |
Semi | 1:23:21 | - | Feb 15 | Jacksonville Half Marathon, Jacksonville, FL |
2008
5 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10Kilometr | 36:16 | - | Oct 13 | Boston Tufts 10K, Boston, MA |
10MilesRoa | 1:01:52 | - | Sep 27 | Lynchburg Virginia Ten Miler, Lynchburg, VA |
10Kilometr | 36:44 | - | Jun 14 | Green Bay Bellin Run, Green Bay, WI |
5Kilometre | 17:50 | - | May 31 | Freihofer's Run for Women, Albany, NY |
Marathon | 2:49:08 | - | Apr 20 | Boston U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Boston, MA |
2007
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10Kilometr | 36:50 | - | Oct 8 | US Women's 10km Championships |
10Kilometr | 39:59 | - | Jun 10 | Middletown Classic, Middletown, NY |
2006
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10Kilometr | 37:26 | - | Oct 9 | Boston Tufts Health Plan 10K, Boston, MA |
2005
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10Kilometr | 36:31 | - | Oct 10 | Boston Tufts Health Plan 10K, Boston, MA |
Marathon | 2:46:27 | - | Oct 2 | St. Paul Twin Cities Marathon, St. Paul |
2004
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Semi | 1:25:41 | - | Oct 24 | San Francisco Nike Half Marathon, San Francisco, CA |
2003
3 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:53:54 | - | Dec 14 | Honolulu Marathon, Honolulu, HI |
Semi | 1:18:44 | - | Oct 5 | Portland Half Marathon, Portland, OR |
5Kilometre | 17:37 | - | May 31 | Freihofer's Run for Women, Albany, NY |
2002
2 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:42:28 | - | Oct 13 | Chicago Marathon |
10Kilometr | 36:52 | - | Jul 21 | London The British 10K, London |
2001
3 performances| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:42:56 | - | Nov 4 | New York Marathon |
10Kilometr | 35:29 | - | Oct 8 | Boston 10km, Boston, MA |
10Kilometr | 35:40 | - | Jun 9 | Green Bay 10 km, Green Bay, WI |
2000
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:39:59 | - | Feb 26 | Columbia Marathon, Columbia, SC |
1998
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:41:06 | - | Nov 1 | New York Marathon |
1997
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15Kilometr | 53:23 | - | Jul 13 | Boilermaker, Utica, NY |
1996
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Marathon | 2:36:54 | - | Feb 10 | Columbia US Women's Olympic Trials, Columbia, SC |
1994
1 performance| Discipline | Result | Wind | Date | Competitions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15Kilometr | 53:09 | - | May 22 | 15 km, Valley, ME |
Showing 1 - 50 of 102
Honours
6
1993Boston Marathon
Marathon
4
1991Boston Marathon
Marathon
6
1991New York Marathon
Marathon
🥉
1988New York Marathon
Marathon
🥇
1985Chicago Marathon
Marathon
🥇
1984The XXIII Olympic Games
Marathon
4
198311th IAAF World Cross Country Championships
Cross Country Long Race
🥇
1983Boston Marathon
Marathon
🥉
1981Boston Marathon
Marathon
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Joan Benoit-Samuelson's Marathon personal best?
Joan Benoit-Samuelson's Marathon personal best is 2:21:21, set on Oct 20, 1985 in Chicago, IL (USA), #159 on the all-time list.
Which events does Joan Benoit-Samuelson compete in?
Joan Benoit-Samuelson competes in the Marathon and 10 Kilometres Road.
How did Joan Benoit-Samuelson perform in 2019?
2019 season best: 3:05:18, set on Apr 15, 2019 in Berlin (GER). Last competition: BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Berlin on Sep 29, 2019, 3:02:21.
How many medals has Joan Benoit-Samuelson won?
Joan Benoit-Samuelson has won 1 Olympic Games medal.