Press Room :: Joan Benoit Samuelson to Deliver Keynote Address

Joan Benoit Samuelson to Deliver Keynote Address

The Napa Valley Marathon has successfully recruited legendary marathon runner Joan Benoit Samuelson as a special guest for the 30th annual race said Rich Benyo, who co-directs the marathon with David Hill.

"Joanie is definitely a charm. I can't think of a better ambassador of running and motivational speaker for our 30th anniversary race," said Benyo, a former executive editor of Runner's World magazine who serves as co-publisher/editor of Marathon & Beyond magazine when he's not directing the Napa Valley Marathon. "She's a magnet for runners of all ages, shapes, and abilities who just want to spend a single moment, or an hour, in her magical presence."

Joan Benoit Samuelson's keynote address at the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon is sponsored by Calistoga Mineral Water Company, a race sponsor since 1980

Benoit Samuelson not only won the gold medal at the inaugural women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles; she is the only American woman to win a gold medal in an Olympic Games marathon. The following year, Benoit Samuelson set a U.S. record of 2:21:21 at the Chicago Marathon, a mark that stood for nearly 18 years until it was eclipsed by Deena Kastor. Among many other accomplishments, she also won the Boston Marathon in 1978 and 1983. Benoit Samuelson is the founder and chair of the TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K in Cape Elizabeth , Maine. The 10-year-old race draws over 5,000 runners from all parts of the U.S. and elite athletes from around the world. As a masters competitor, Benoit Samuelson, who turned 50 this year on May 17, is still a highly visible, active athlete. In fact, the resident of Freeport , Maine will return to the Boston Marathon seven weeks after the 2008 Kaiser Permanente Napa Valley Marathon to compete in her seventh consecutive USA Women's Olympic Marathon Trials race. Instead of competing for a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, however, Benoit Samuelson will aim for a sub-3 hour finish.