Grete Waitz

Born Grete Andersen in Oslo, Norway,[3] Waitz was a talented young runner, but had difficulty in getting her parents to take her potential profession seriously. However, she ran at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich in the 1500 metres, and to support her athletic career she studied at a teachers college.

In her teen years, Waitz won national junior titles in Norway in the 400 and 800 metres. At age 17, she set the European junior record for the 1500 metres with a time of 4:17 and won the bronze medal at the European Athletics Championships in this event in 1974. In 1975, Waitz broke the 3000 metres world record, running 8:46.6 in Oslo. Also in Oslo a year later, she lowered this record with an 8:45.4 effort, then in 1977 she won the gold medal over the distance at the inaugural IAAF World Cup in Athletics meet in Düsseldorf with a personal best time of 8:43.50. Two years later in Montreal, she won the silver medal, and came to her all-time personal best of 8:31.75 in Oslo.

She ran the 1500 m at the European Championships in Prague on 3 September 1978. The run was won by Giana Romanova (USSR) in 3:59.01. Waitz placed fifth, with a career best of 4:00.55. It still stands as the Norwegian national record. Back then it was the eighth best time for the 1500 m.[5][6] On 29 August at the Championships, she placed third in the 3000 m, with a time of 8:34.33. The winner was Svetlana Ulmasova with 8:33.16.[7]

Source: IAAF[13]

• 1500 metres – 4:00.55 – Prague – 3 September 1978
• One mile – 4:26.90 – Gateshead – 9 July 1978
• 3000 metres – 8:31.75 – Oslo (Bislett) – 17 July 1979
• 15 kilometres – 47:52 – Tampa, FL – 11 February 1984
• Marathon – 2:24:54 – London – 20 April 1986

Although not competing at the top level, Waitz still ran in and organised corporate races in which she aimed to give advice and information on distance running and health. She also did charity work, particularly for the CARE International and the International Special Olympics. In June 2005 it was publicly known that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. She also coached Liz McColgan. For more than 25 years, Waitz served as the ambassador for the worldwide JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Series, promoting health and wellness to full-time workers. She provided regular training and motivational tips.[14] Waitz was also a spokesperson for Avon Products.[15]

In August 2009 it was revealed that Waitz had initiated a co-operation between her old sponsor, Adidas, and the cancer care foundation she started in 2007 – "Aktiv mot kreft" (Norwegian for "Active against cancer"). The co-operation would mean that the cancer care foundation would get 5% of the proceeds from Adidas' sale of their Grete Waitz and Modern Classics collections. This could be as much as NOK 500 million per year, which would go to the establishment of hospital physical training centres and investment in PET-scanners.[16]

Waitz died of cancer on 19 April 2011, aged 57.[17] She was first diagnosed in 2005, but the specific type of cancer was never disclosed to the public.[18] Waitz was survived by her husband Jack and brothers Jan and Arild.[19] The Norwegian government later announced she would be buried with government honor at state expense, the sixth woman in Norwegian history to be given this honor.[20] This was equivalent to a state funeral, although in accordance with her family wishes the ceremony was private.[21]

Waitz won 13 out of 20 marathons. With nine NYC Marathon wins, two London Marathon wins, and one World Championship win, she is the record holder for World Major Marathons.[4]

Waitz is widely acknowledged as helping to promote marathon and long-distance running for women. In Norway she is a sporting legend, with an annual race named in her honor. The New York Road Runners club annually sponsors "Grete's Great Gallop," formerly a half-marathon and now a 10K, in her honor.

There is a statue of Waitz in the Norway pavilion in EPCOT at the Walt Disney World Resort. There is also a statue of her outside Bislett Stadium in Oslo, and she has been featured on a set of stamps. In addition, Waitz' portrait is featured on the tail of a Norwegian Air Shuttle 787 Dreamliner aircraft (a plane, coincidentally, manufactured in North Charleston, South Carolina, a market where she won the Charleston-area 10km race in 1989).

In November 2008, Waitz was appointed a Knight 1st Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, bestowed by King Harald V of Norway at a ceremony in Oslo.[22] She was only the third sportsperson ever to receive this award.[22] Waitz received the St. Olav's Medal in 1981 and Medal of St. Hallvard in 1989.

• TheFinalSprint.com's interview with running pioneer Grete Waitz

• Grete Waitz reflects on her, & Fred Lebow's, last NYC Marathon – 2008 NY Daily News article by Wayne Coffey (archived copy)
• Google Doodle tribute to Grete Waitz
• Grete Waitz at World Athletics
• Grete Waitz at Olympics.com
• Grete Waitz at Olympedia