Mildred Sampson
Mildred "Millie" Sampson (born February 14, 1933[nb 1]) is a former New Zealand long-distance runner who is recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations as having set a world best in the marathon on July 21, 1964, with a time of 3:19:33 in Auckland, New Zealand.[2][nb 2] Sampson was reportedly encouraged to enter the marathon at the Owairaka club by the men she trained with, including Olympians Bill Baillie and Ivan Keats.[1] According to Sampson, Keats believed her participation would attract attention to the marathon and his running club which was organizing the event.[3] Sampson, reported as having been fatigued due to dancing the previous night and having had no breakfast the morning of the race, ate ice cream and chocolate during the last few miles of the race.[3][5] Reports after the race described her as a mother[5][6], which was untrue.[3]
In the only other marathon that Sampson ever ran, her 3:13:58 in Auckland on May 9, 1970 was good enough for the sixth best woman's time in the world that year.[8][9][nb 3] She is a three-time national champion in cross country (1966, 1968, 1972)[1][10] and won unofficial national titles in the event from 1963 to 1965.[1]
As of 2008, Sampson worked at a drycleaners.[1]
Notes
- ^ An article in the Saturday, February 9, 2008 edition of The New Zealand Herald indicated that she would be turning 75 on the following Monday.[1]
- ^ Peter Heidenstrom, a statistician for Athletics New Zealand, has been reported as providing a date of December 1964[3], however, the Association of Road Racing Statisticians notes the date of Sampson's performance was August 16, 1964.[4] Other sources from August to October of 1964 support the August date.[5][6] The ARRS also notes that Sampson's mark was set during a time trial and does not recognize it in their progression of marathon world bests.[4][7]
- ^ The New Zealand Herald incorrectly reported that Sampson's performance was the second fastest of all time.[1] At that time, her mark was the second fastest of the year among women.[8]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Bingham, Eugene (Saturday Feb 9, 2008), "Athletics: Trailblazer of women's distance running", The New Zealand Herald (online at nzhearland.co.nz), pp. 4–5
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "12th IAAF World Championships In Athletics: IAAF Statistics Handbook. Berlin 2009" (pdf). Monte Carlo: IAAF Media & Public Relations Department. 2009. p. 653. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Jutel, Anne-Marie (2007), "Forgetting Millie Sampson: Collective Frameworks for Historical Memory.", New Zealand Journal of Media Studies, 10 (1): 31–36
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|month=(help) - ^ a b "World Marathon Rankings for 1964". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
Mildred Sampson (NZL) ran 3:19:33 in a time trial on 16 Aug 1964 at Auckland NZL.
- ^ a b c "Housewife's Marathon Record Run", The Age, Melbourne, p. 22, August 18, 1964, retrieved May 21, 2010
- ^ a b Rogin, Gilbert (October 5, 1964), "The Fastest Is Faster", Sports Illustrated, retrieved May 21, 2010,
One Saturday last August, a Mrs. Millie Sampson, a 31-year-old mother of two who lives in the Auckland suburb of Manurewa, went dancing until 1 a.m. The next day she cooked dinner for 11 visitors. In between, she ran the marathon in 3:19.33, presumably a record.
- ^ "World Best Progressions- Road". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
The 3:19:33 by Milred Sampson (NZL) on 16 Aug 1964 at Auckland NZL was a time trial.
- ^ a b "World Marathon Rankings for 1970". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "Marathon List for 1970". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ^ "New Zealand Championships". gbrathletics.com. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
 | This biographical article relating to New Zealand athletics is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |