Historias inspiradoras de las mujeres en el NYRR Hall of Fame

Updated February 2024.

The New York Road Runners Hall of Fame honors legendary figures in our sport, who through their triumphs and contributions have made NYRR and the TCS New York City Marathon what they are today. Some of the most accomplished and inspiring women in our sport are Hall of Fame inductees.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, the stories of our women Hall of Fame inductees can inspire and motivate us all. From record-setting race finishes to visionary leadership, these women’s accomplishments extend beyond the streets of NYC. 

Grete Waitz. From the moment she set a world record at the 1978 New York City Marathon (a race she won nine times) to her time as the chair of the New York Road Runners Foundation (now Rising New York Road Runners), she broke barriers and inspired others.

Nina Kuscsik. A pioneer and equal rights advocate, she won the 1972 Boston Marathon, the 1972 and 1973 New York City Marathon, and the 1977 NYRR 50-Mile, and was a co-founder of the New York Mini 10K.

Miki Gorman. The winner of the first five-borough New York City Marathon, in 1976, Gorman defended her title in 1977. She also won the 1973 Culver City Marathon and the Boston Marathon in 1974 and 1977.

Joan Benoit Samuelson. She made history by winning the gold medal at the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon in Los Angeles in 1984, and later ran 2:21:21, an American record that stood for nearly 20 years. She ran a sub-2:50 marathon at age 50 and a 3:04 in her 60s.

Kathrine Switzer. The first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, in 1967, she won the 1974 New York City Marathon and led the fight for a women’s Olympic marathon. She continues to champion women with her foundation, 261 Fearless.

Tegla Loroupe. She won the 1994 New York City Marathon, defended her title in 1995, won three World Half Marathon Championships (1997–99), and set two marathon world records. She now heads the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation. 

Paula Radcliffe. A three-time New York City Marathon champion (2004, 2007, 2008), she held the marathon world record for over 16 years. She also won the 2002 Chicago Marathon; the London Marathon in 2002, 2003, and 2005; and the 2005 World Championships Marathon.

Margaret Okayo. The 2001 and 2003 New York City Marathon champion, she holds the course record of 2:22:31 and never finished lower than fifth place in the race. She also won the San Diego Marathon twice and the Boston, London, and Milan marathons.

Lornah Kiplagat. She’s a four-time winner of the New York Mini 10K, as well as the 2007 world cross country champion and the 2008 world half marathon champion. Her Lornah Kiplagat Foundation supports Kenyan girls’ education.

Edith Wolf Hunkeler. A five-time New York City Marathon champion (2004–05, 2007–09), she also won the Boston Marathon in 2002 and 2006, three gold medals in the 2006 World Championships, and gold medals in the 2008 Paralympic marathon and the 2012 Paralympic 5000m.

Allison Roe. She won the 1981 Boston Marathon and set a world record at that fall’s New York City Marathon (though the course was later found to be short). In 2017 she won a gold medal in mountain biking at the World Masters Games.

Mary Wittenberg. The first woman president and CEO of NYRR (2005–15), she led the organization in becoming the world’s premier running organization. A former corporate lawyer, she won the 1987 Marine Corps Marathon.

Ingrid Kristiansen. Her world record of 2:21:06 in the marathon, set in 1985, stood for 13 years. She won the 1989 New York City Marathon; the London Marathon in 1984, 1985, and 1988; the Boston Marathon in 1986 and 1989; and the Chicago Marathon in 1986.

Shalane Flanagan. She won the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon, becoming the first American women’s open winner in 40 years, and returned in 2018 to place third. The 16-time USA champion won the Olympic silver 10,000-meter medal in Beijing in 2008. She now coaches with the Bowerman Track Club and is the co-author of best-selling cookbooks.

Liz McColgan. The winner of the 1991 New York City Marathon, she also won the 1988 Olympic silver medal at 10,000 meters and gold at that distance at the 1991 World Athletics Championships, and now coaches professional athletes.

Mary Keitany. The four-time TCS New York City Marathon champion (2011, 2014–2016) was also a three-time winner of the New York Mini 10K and the London Marathon. In Kenya, she helped fund and build a school and church in her village.

Deena Kastor. The former American half marathon and marathon record-holder, she won a bronze medal in the marathon at the Athens 2004 Olympics. In NYC, she won the New York Mini 10K in 2004 and the SHAPE Half Marathon in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. She has contributed to the sport as a broadcaster, mentor, and avid supporter of NYRR’s youth and community programs.