Lisa Rainsberger
Lisa Larsen Rainsberger, previously known as Lisa Larsen Weidenbach, (born May 7, 1961) is a distance runner. As of 2016, she is the last American woman to have won the Boston Marathon. She is a member of the University of Michigan Track and Field and Road Runners of America Halls of Fame.[1] Her marathon times were among the top ten in the US in 1984 and 1987-1994.[2] As of 2008, she was listed four times in the top 100 all-time US women's marathon performances, with a best time of 2:28:15.[3]
While in high school in Battle Creek, Michigan, Rainsberger won competitions as a swimmer in the Individual Medley, qualifying for the 1980 Olympic Swimming trials, and later competed on scholarship as an All-American swimmer in college at the University of Michigan. She walked away from that scholarship to earn another as a collegiate runner and was a two-time All American in track and cross country.
In 1984, she ran the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon trials where she finished fourth, missing a spot in the Olympic games.[4] In 1985, she won the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:34:06.[5] The highest that American women have placed at Boston since Rainsberger's 1984 win is Desiree Davilla's 2011 second-place finish and Kara Goucher’s 2009 third-place finish.[6][7] Rainsberger finished first back-to-back in the Chicago Marathon in 1988 (2:29:17) and 1989 (2:28:15), something no American woman has repeated since.[citation needed] She had run in numerous other distance races on the track and road, in the United States and abroad (notably Japan's Hokkaido Marathon).
Rainsberger ended her 12-year career of professional competition after a final attempt to become a professional triathlete and training for the Olympics. She now focuses on her family and coaching. She coaches members of the Army's world class athlete program.[8][9]
Achievements
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the  United States
| |||||
| 1984 | US Olympic Marathon Trial | Olympia, Washington, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:33.10 |
| 1985 | Boston Marathon | Boston, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:34:06 |
| 1988 | Pittsburgh Marathon (US Olympic Trial) | Pittsburgh, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:31:06 |
| Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:29:17 | |
| 1989 | Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:28:15 |
| 1990 | London Marathon | London, England | 3rd | Marathon | 2:28:16 |
| Hokkaido Marathon | Sapporo, Japan | 1st | Marathon | 2:31:29 | |
| 1992 | Houston Marathon (US Olympic Trial) | Houston, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:33:32 |
| 1993 | Twin Cities Marathon | Minneapolis, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:33:38 |
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (January 2010) |
- 1980-84 University of Michigan three sport NCAA All-American (swimming, cross country, track & field); Cross Country Team Captain
- 1984 Montreal Marathon champion
- 1985 Boston Marathon champion
- 1985 USAT&F Runner of the Year
- 1986-89 Crim 10 Mile champion, 52:32
- 1988 US Olympic Marathon Team Trials, 4th, Alternate
- 1988 US Olympic Track & Field Trials 10k, 32:12
- 1988, 1989 Chicago Marathon champion, 2:29:12 and 2:28:15
- 1989, 1990 Cherry Blossom 10 Mile champion, 52:30
- 1989 American Record 15k, 48:28
- 1989 USAT&F Runner of the Year
- 1989 Runner's World Runner of the Year
- 1991 Bloomsday 12k champion
- 1990 Hokkaido Marathon champion
- 1990, 1991 Sapporo, Japan Half Marathon champion
- 1993 Twin Cities Marathon champion
- 1995, 1996 Kyoto, Japan Half Marathon 2nd place
- 1996 US Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier
- 1997 Lawrence Triathlon - 1st
- 1997 USA Triathlon Nationals - 5th
- 1997 Mrs. T's Triathlon Pro - 5th
See also
References
- ^ "Rainsberger Athletics". Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/marathonusranking.pdf Retrieved January 19, 2010. [dead link]
- ^ "Top 100 All-Time U.S. Performances". Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ Powers, John (April 13, 2007). "Before US drought came a worthy reign". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Bickelhaupt, Susan (April 14, 2005). "It's a fun run this time". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Patrick, Dick (April 21, 2009). "Americans Goucher and Hall finish third at Boston Marathon". USA Today.
- ^ Thompson, Rich (April 18, 2010). "Regression, then revival". Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ http://coloradotriathlete.com/lisa-rainsberger-commemorates-1985-boston-marathon-victory/
- ^ http://www.traininggoals.com/AboutLisa.html