Grete Waitz: "It was about time that someone broke my old record."
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Above:
Grete Waitz breaking the tape one of her nine times in the New York
City Marathon.
Below: Paula Radcliffe break's Waitz's course record at the 2001 New York Women's Mini Marathon 10k. |
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"I was told so many times that that record was untouchable, that no would break it," said New York Road Runners Elite Athlete Coordinator David Monti after watching Paula Radcliffe knock 13 seconds off Waitz's 1980 record of 31:00 at the 2001 New York Women's Mini Marathon 10k. Some of the world's best -- Ingrid Kristiansen, Liz McColgan, Tegla Loroupe, Joan Benoit Samuelson and many more -- had tried and failed. In fact, until Radcliffe's record run, the fastest non-Waitz time on the course was a 31:31 by Ingrid Kristiansen in 1988. We caught up with Waitz, a five-time winner of this race, just a couple days after Radcliffe had broken her 21-year-old record, to get her reaction.
Fast-Women:
What was your reaction to hearing that Paula had
broken your 21-year-old Mini Marathon course record?
Grete Waitz:
I saw the results from the mini on the Internet, and when I saw Paula's
time I was very impressed. Not only did she break the record, but she
did it [by] 13 seconds. It was about time that someone broke my old record,
and I was very happy to see that it was Paula who did. I have met her
a few times, she is not only a great runner, she is a very nice and humble
person and very gracious.
FW:
Could you tell us a little about the day that you set the record? Was
it a close race? How did the race unfold? Who were your competitors?
GW:
To be quite honest I don't remember very much from the time I ran my record.
It was not a close race, I won by quite a bit. I ran hard from the gun
which I always did in those days. I don't remember who my competitors
were. I had run a 31:16 the year before and I wanted to see if I could
run faster than that. (Note: Looking back at the results, it seems that
Grete didn't have much competition. She won by 2:03 over second-place
finisher Patti Lyons-Catalano (33:03).
FW:
When you set the record, did you have any idea that it would stand for
this long? Why do you think it did stand for so long?
GW:
When I ran that time I never thought it would last this long. Why it stood
so long? When I ran my record I ran a 8:31 on 3,000m on the track and
I ran a 2:25 marathon so I was in great shape that year. I didn't have
to worry about my competitors so there was no tactical race. I could run
hard all the way. Even if I "died" a little out there on the
hills I knew I would still win. And I always peaked for the Mini. Back
then there were not so many races so I could allow myself to focus on
this event. I was always "race rested and hungry" at this time
of the year -- after cross country and at the beginning of track season.
Later the race was often a tactical one, because women's distance running
got better and more competitive. The weather has also had an impact over
the years. It has been very warm and humid on several race days.
FW:
Paula is set to make her marathon debut in London next year. Do you think
her record (and other recent results) bode well for her marathoning career?
GW:
Running a fast 10k doesn't automatically mean you can run a fast marathon.
The 10k and marathon are two different events. Paula is a great distance
runner and I am sure she can run a good marathon. But
how good? We will have to wait and see.
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