Runamook-You don't give yourself enough credit (a truly refreshing quality, particularly after reading some of Ms. Petronella's claims). Track and Field News did not rank you 10th in the world in 1978. You were ranked 8th. in the world (a list which included Grete). You were the 6th American.
I really think there would be a market for a book about the running scene during that time. You and the women who you mentioned in your post forged a path for every woman who followed in the sport.
For a little additional perspective, Ms. Petronella's P.R. for the marathon was 19 minutes slower than the 200th. fastest time in the world in 1984.
As I have mentioned before, her best time was 6 minutes slower than the qualifying time for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1984.
bump
Just a reminder. This is from Ms. Petronella's website.
BORN TO WIN
BY LYNN PETRONELLA
DEDICATED TO THE WORLD'S GREATEST. WOMAN THE STATUE OF LIBERTY AND ALL
AMERICAN WOMAN!
Written by Lynn Petronella ex- world class marathoner (expected to win
the first woman's marathon in l980 when it was boycotted )
Lynn Petronella went on to coach Joan Benoit to be the first woman in
history to win the Olympic Gold Medal in the Marathon in Los Angeles in
l984
this thread is amazing.