The New York City Marathon witnessed a revolution on October 22, 1978. A Norwegian schoolteacher named Grete Waitz, virtually unknown to the American running world, lined up for her first marathon. Just over two and a half hours later, she crossed the finish line in Central Park with a world record time of 2:32:29.8, a full two minutes faster than the existing record.

And just like that, she changed the game of women’s distance running forever.

An Unknown Outsider

Grete Waitz wasn’t supposed to win. She wasn’t even expected to finish strong.

At the time, she was renowned in track circles for her speed over middle distances, having held two world records in the 3,000 meters, competed as an Olympian, and won a European medal. But she had never run more than 12 miles, not even in training.

When race director Fred Lebow offered her a last-minute entry, meant more as a pacing opportunity than a competitive bid, she accepted. She traveled to New York with her husband, Jack, treating the marathon like a holiday. Her bib number, F1173, was buried deep in the field.

Shocking the Field

The 1978 women’s race was expected to go to Christa Vahlensieck, the German world record holder. But by halfway, a woman in red shorts and a plain white top was pulling away from her. That woman was Waitz.

No media buzz. No elite bib. Just a towering figure in pigtails, building a massive lead.

By the finish, Vahlensieck had dropped out. Waitz won by more than ten minutes.

She had smashed the world record on her very first try.

A Grueling Triumph

Despite the commanding win, the experience wasn’t easy. In fact, the final miles were brutal. Waitz, physically shattered, threw her shoes at her husband in frustration when he congratulated her at the finish line.

But that was the last time she’d lose her cool on a race course. Her relationship with the New York City Marathon became one of mutual devotion.

A Legend Is Born

That 1978 race marked the beginning of Grete Waitz’s marathon dominance. She would go on to win the New York City Marathon nine times, a record that still stands.

She broke the world record three times in her career. But more than that, she opened the door for women in a sport that had barely begun to accept them.

As her fame grew, so did her influence. Waitz became a beloved ambassador for running, especially in New York. After her retirement, she championed youth fitness and later cofounded AKTIV Against Cancer, using her platform to support patients through exercise-based care.

A Moment That Mattered

In an era when women were still fighting for a place in long-distance racing, Grete Waitz didn’t just join the marathon; she redefined it.