Grete Waitz is dead

There really was a different attitude about women's running that prevailed into the 1970s, especially at the IOC/IAAF level. Grete and Joan were two of the big trailblazers who still had to prove to a lot of people that, yes, a woman could run longer than a 10K and not have her uterus fall out. (or something like that)

She'll be much missed and not forgotten.

I remember watching Greta destroy the IAAF World Cross Country women's field several years in a row. After one such rout I recall that the coaches of some other national women's teams actually argued about how unfair it was and how she should be forced to run in the men's race.

We love you Greta.

This is a very sad day.

Every few minutes I start to weep. She was the queen of our sport. She was a friend to many of us. She competed with strength, grace, and dignity...the same way she fought her cancer.

I was at the finish line for all of her NYC Marathon victories and I was there when she ran with Fred. My heart goes out to my dear friend Jack.

She's taking God for a run today....I hope he can keep up with her.

She

I love this Leo Kulinski photo. This is the smile I'll always remember.

http://www.whalesandwolves.com/images/running/gretewaitz.html

I will never forget how she ran a marathon with Fred Lebow when he was dying of cancer... she was such a loyal friend, so humble and so compassionate. How sad that this great lady was taken so soon.

Sad news indeed. Classy and quiet but tough as nails. We have dominant runners today but there's a new face every couple years. Nobody wins a major marathon nine times now. My favorite Grete quote was something like "a dog doesn't stretch before it runs. Neither do I"

Grete was a good friend of my family (my father did a lot of PR work with her on a race series) and she was one of the most personable and down-to-earth people you'd ever meet.

She was one of the big reasons why I began running in the first place, and her love for the sport was contagious enough to influence thousands, both women and men alike.

We'll miss you, Grete!

What's too see? A woman from Norway, a guy from Kenya, and 20,000 losers.

Thank you for the wonderful stories....keep 'em coming, it's a wonderful way to honor her memory.

She was always so gracious at the Grete's Great Gallop and Troll Stroll races in Central Park - posing for pictures, running alongside the kiddies during their races. A wonderful ambassador for the sport long after her competitive career ended.

I can never get over the fact that at her 1978 NYC debut she had never before run more than 20 miles and in the process of "hanging on" to the fast pace she had started she set a new WR. I should think it would be more than appropriate to erect a statue of Grete at the NYC finish line near Fred's. She was great in so many ways, it is only fitting.

very sad news. RIP

One of the greats. She was a true ambassador of the sport, in an era when women's running was still viewed as a novelty. Not after Grete!

An angel that ushered women's running into the modern era. She made it look so easy. R.I.P.

A fine remembrance from Amby Burfoot here:

http://footloose.runnersworld.com/2011/04/remembering-grete-waitz.html

After such a great weekend of marathoning the news of her death was quite a shock, and reminds us of how precious our times is.

Grete is the first runner I have a memory of. New York was on ABC back then live and I'd watch her win every year.

She was a huge part of my formative running years. She inspired us all.

A few years ago Robert and I got an email from her about reviewing her book and she said her and her husband "enjoyed reading letsrun.com on a regular basis." It might be the greatest compliment we've gotten.

I told her it was an honor hearing from her. However, now that she's no longer with us I wish I had told her even more how she meant to me and the sport. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say she made this website possible by inspiring two kids in Texas like she inspired us all. Thanks Grete for inspiring us all. You touched so many people.

THIS:

This morning, when I told my wife that Grete had died, she said:

"That's typical that she waited until Tuesday. She probably didn't want to detract from the excitement of the races yesterday." So true.

They say when the time comes, you choose when to die. I believe this.

wineturtle wrote:

I love this Leo Kulinski photo. This is the smile I'll always remember.

http://www.whalesandwolves.com/images/running/gretewaitz.html

Thanks Tom. I remember the day I took this photo. She was a very kind and gracious lady.

Rest in peace, Ms. Waitz, and condolences to all of the many family and friends whose lives she worked her magic on. The running community has lost an iconic champion.