USATF Foundation Ultimate Art Auction spotlights Joan Benoit Samuelson, American distance running legend

INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has announced Joan Benoit Samuelson will be among the distance running greats that will appear on a commissioned piece of art entitled, "Running Legends: A Signature Piece," honoring 12 of the greatest living American distance runners of all time. All proceeds from the auction will benefit USA Track & Field Foundation grant programs for emerging elite athletes and youth clubs.

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In addition to Joan, the piece created by renowned artist Roald Bradstock, includes the likenesses and original signatures of Jim Ryun, Lynn Jennings, Billy Mills, Bill Rogers, Frank Shorter, Alberto Salazar, Steve Scott, Bob Schul, Mary Slaney, Dave Wottle and Craig Virgin.

Interested parties may bid on ebay.com beginning Friday, June 18 at 1:30 PM EST and ending on Sunday, June 27 at 1:30 PM EST, the last day of the Outdoor National Championships in Des Moines, IA. Please insert item number “130397667863” into the search box to access the auction web page.

Additionally, 25 limited edition prints (also with original signatures) will be available for purchase for $2,500. Interested parties may contact USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic at tom.jackovic@usatf.org or (412) 398-2484 for more information.

JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON BIOGRAPHY:

Date of Birth: May 16, 1957
USATF Hall of Fame Induction: 2004

Events
10,000 Meters (32:07.41)
Marathon (2:21.21)

The winner of the first Olympic women's marathon at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Joan Samuelson is synonymous with the increased popularity of long distance running in the United States. Samuelson won the Olympic Marathon at age 26, just 17 days following agonizing knee surgery. Samuelson, who was ranked #1 in the world in the marathon on two occasions, is a former world and U.S. record holder in that event. She was the 1981 U.S. 10,000m champion and the 1984 U.S. women's marathon champion. Samuelson set the world and U.S. women's marathon record in 1984, and set the U.S. women's marathon record on four occasions. She was ranked #4 in the world at 10,000m in 1984, and she was world ranked five-times in the marathon (#1 two times). She is a pioneer of women's marathoning, who won the 1979 and 1983 Boston Marathons, the 1992 Columbus Marathon and the 1985 Chicago Marathon. In 1985, she was awarded the prestigious AAU Sullivan Award as the nation's finest amateur athlete. She is the mother of two daughters, Abby and Anders.

Records Held
World Record (Road): Marathon - 2:22:43
American Record (Road): Half-Marathon - 1:08:34
American Record (Road): 25K - 1:24:43
American Record (Road): Marathon - 2:21:21

Championships
1984 Olympic Games: Marathon - 2:24:52 (1st)
1981 USA Outdoor Championships: 10,000 m - 33:37.50 (1st)
1984 U.S. Olympic Trials: Marathon - 2:31:04 (1st)
1983 Pan-Am Games: 3,000 Meters - 9:14.19 (1st)

Education
High School: Cape Elizabeth HS (Cape Elizabeth, Maine), 1975
Bowdoin College (Brunswick, Maine), 1979

Occupation
Author
Motivational Speaker

The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field.

JOAN BENOIT SAMUELSON