1983 Foot Locker Champion Janet Smith is in hospice care

Agreed! This is why I really fvcking hate what this site has become. Trolls, annoying know-it-alls, pedantic man-children, and insensitive teen boys dominate this sad declining outlet.

My prayers to Janet and her loved ones. May God grant you peace and bring you to a place free from pain and sadness.

So sad I, was one of her team mates then. She was an amazing runner and person and as always happens in times like this you remember those runs/ events /time we had together. Janet had a great team around her, the adidas rep somehow back doored her shoes as it was illegal in those days! She also ran with a very early Altitude Training device that was like a scuba tank/backpack that simulated breathing at altitude through pellets or similar stuff. I don’t remember but she ran with it and of course as the wins speak for themselves. But she was a great person. Thanks to whomever saw this.

I think due to cancer. Didn't say what type.

A lot of this bad behavior would go away with mandatory, authenticated real names.

This is extremely sad news. I witnessed a number of her incredible performances during her HS career. She was truly in a league of her own. My heart goes out to her, her family and friends in these difficult times.

Exactly. Can you imagine if this was your loved one in hospice care and someone is arguing about whether one of their cross country races was a few meters short or some other sort of nonsense? She is an extremely accomplished runner and it sounds like she is an even better person. To her family and to Janet we offer our appreciation and love.

This site has been filled with trolls, know-it-alls, etc since the beginning. The level of toxic post seems on the rise though. I am not sure what can be done but that doesn’t matter.

59 is pretty young. At 41 when I see people my age and a bit older getting sick and dying and it starts hitting close to home. Janet sounds like a wonderful person. Watching a loved one die is really difficult. it is not something I would wish on anyone

Janet came and spoke to us when I was in high school. Wonderful person. Intense, knowledgeable, and memorable. I specifically remember her drilling us on how to run downhill, haha. I still relay that to my athletes today!

That’s awesome. What was her advice?

I hate it just a bit more when an elite runner goes early. Always feel like the cosmos owes us for paying the price and taking care of our bodies for decades. But alas.

Sad news!

Janet once spoke at an event I held and refused to accept the speakers fee. Classy lady

Janet has a son is a very good steeple chaser and competed in the elite section at the 2022 Penn Relays, Michael Leet.