Lisa Rainsberger

Lisa Larsen Rainsberger, previously known as Lisa Larsen Weidenbach, (born May 7, 1961) is a distance runner. She is a member of the University of Michigan Track and Field and Road Runners of America Halls of Fame.[1] Her marathon times were among the top ten in the US in 1984 and 1987–1994.[2] As of 2008, she was listed four times in the top 100 all-time US women's marathon performances, with a best time of 2:28:15.[3]

Rainsberger (right) being congratulated for her victory in the 1985 Boston Marathon by First Lady of Boston Kathy Flynn, while Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis looks on

Early life

While in high school in Battle Creek, Michigan, Rainsberger won competitions as a swimmer in the Individual Medley, qualifying for the 1980 Olympic Swimming trials, and later competed on scholarship as an All-American swimmer in college at the University of Michigan. She walked away from that scholarship to earn another as a collegiate runner and was a two-time All-American in track and cross country.

Professional career

In 1984, she ran the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon trials where she finished fourth, missing a spot in the Olympic games.[4] In 1985, she won the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:34:06.[5] An American did not win the Boston Marathon again until 2018, 33 years later, when Desiree Linden ran to victory.[6] Rainsberger finished first back-to-back in the Chicago Marathon in 1988 (2:29:17) and 1989 (2:28:15), something no American woman has repeated since. She had run in numerous other distance races on the track and road, in the United States and abroad (notably Japan's Hokkaido Marathon).

Rainsberger ended her 12-year career of professional competition after a final attempt to become a professional triathlete and training for the Olympics. She now focuses on her family and coaching. She coaches members of the Army's world class athlete program,[7][8] and her daughter, Katie Rainsberger, who is a champion in her own right.[9]

Achievements
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
Representing the  United States
1984 US Olympic Marathon Trial Olympia, Washington, United States 4th Marathon 2:33.10
1985 Boston Marathon Boston, United States 1st Marathon 2:34:06
1988 Pittsburgh Marathon (US Olympic Trial) Pittsburgh, United States 4th Marathon 2:31:06
Chicago Marathon Chicago, United States 1st Marathon 2:29:17
1989 Chicago Marathon Chicago, United States 1st Marathon 2:28:15
1990 London Marathon London, England 3rd Marathon 2:28:16
Hokkaido Marathon Sapporo, Japan 1st Marathon 2:31:29
1992 Houston Marathon (US Olympic Trial) Houston, United States 4th Marathon 2:33:32
1993 Twin Cities Marathon Minneapolis, United States 1st Marathon 2:33:38


  • 1980–84 University of Michigan three sport NCAA All-American (swimming, cross country, track & field); Cross Country Team Captain
  • 1984 Montreal Marathon champion
  • 1985 Boston Marathon champion
  • 1985 USAT&F Runner of the Year
  • 1985 Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run, champion 53:30
  • 1986–89 Crim 10 Mile champion, 52:32
  • 1988 US Olympic Marathon Team Trials, 4th, Alternate
  • 1988 US Olympic Track & Field Trials 10k, 32:12
  • 1988, 1989 Chicago Marathon champion, 2:29:12 and 2:28:15
  • 1989, 1990 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile champion, 52:30
  • 1989 American Record 15k, 48:28
  • 1989 USAT&F Runner of the Year
  • 1989 Runner's World Runner of the Year
  • 1991 Bloomsday 12k champion
  • 1990 Hokkaido Marathon champion
  • 1990, 1991 Sapporo, Japan Half Marathon champion
  • 1993 Twin Cities Marathon champion
  • 1995, 1996 Kyoto, Japan Half Marathon 2nd place
  • 1996 US Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier
  • 1997 Lawrence Triathlon - 1st
  • 1997 USA Triathlon Nationals - 5th
  • 1997 Mrs. T's Triathlon Pro - 5th

See also

Personal

Lisa's daughter, Katie Rainsberger, secured the United States' girls' high school 5K cross country record with a time of 16:23.40, set in 2016. It was surpassed in 2018 by Katelyn Tuohy.[9]

References
  1. "Rainsberger Athletics". Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 2, 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  3. "Top 100 All-Time U.S. Performances". Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
  4. Powers, John (April 13, 2007). "Before US drought came a worthy reign". The Boston Globe.
  5. Bickelhaupt, Susan (April 14, 2005). "It's a fun run this time". The Boston Globe.
  6. "Boston Marathon: Desiree Linden becomes first American woman to win Boston Marathon since 1985". BBC. April 16, 2018. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
  7. "Lisa Rainsberger Commemorates 1985 Boston Marathon Victory". coloradotriathlete.com.
  8. "Rainsberger Athletics". traininggoals.com.
  9. Footsteps: Lisa and Katie , Rainsberger are Colorado’s distance running duo, Mile High Sports, Dan Mohrmann, May 7, 2016. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
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