16-May-1976 – West German Athletics Championships – 2:40:29 – EB Lydiard Marathon
Date of birth: 27-May-1949
Nationality: West German (at the time)
Women-Only World Record duration: 2 years, 4 months, 7 days
The athlete:
The reason I’ve decided to cover the women’s only marathon world record is that World Athletics has decided to award it alongside the women’s marathon world record which has been set at events with mixed competition. The primary reason that this world record was introduced was to reduce the potential impact of male pacers.
I would also like to note that there is in my opinion some confusion about the progression of the women’s only marathon world record, given that the first such ratified mark was set by Paula Radcliffe at the 2005 London Marathon, despite Radcliffe setting a faster time (and world record) at the 2003 London Marathon under the same circumstances i.e. starting apparently and 45 minutes before the elite men’s race. I have contacted World Athletics for clarification.
In the meantime, my list begins in 1976 as this is the first time the women’s only marathon world record was faster than the fastest marathon run by a woman barefoot, Phạm Thị Bình, which I’d further note was also set at a women’s only marathon race.
Christa Vahlensieck had already set the marathon world record in 1975, and while her time was bettered by Jacqueline Hansen she was still one of the fastest distance runners in the world. While it is difficult to find much information about her run at the 1976 German Athletics Championships, the results show Vahlensieck comfortably ahead of second and in a time which still counted as the fastest marathon time of the year.
As the race was women’s only, it counted as the women’s only marathon world record as well. She would continue to improve, and go on to to set the marathon world record yet again in 1977, which you can read more about here.
The shoes:
As we can see from photos of the race, Vahlensieck wore the minimalist EB Lydiard Marathon, the collaborative effort of German company Brütting and legendary coach Arthur Lydiard. Having worn Adidas until 1974, Vahlensieck would go on to wear several models from the brand including the Road Runner in which she set the marathon world record in 1975 and the 100 kilometre world record in 1976, albeit on a course that was likely short. You can read more about the EB Lydiard Marathon in my article about Vahlensieck’s second marathon world record in 1977.
References:
Marathon Woman by Kathrine Switzer
A Long Time Coming by Jacqueline Hansen
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christa_Vahlensieck
https://www.runnersworld.de/news-fotos/die-elf-berliner-marathon-weltrekorde/
https://www.leichtathletik.de/news/news/detail/was-macht-eigentlich-christa-vahlensieck
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-LYDIARD-Running-Shoes-Poster-Print-Ad-SAO-PAULO-SPURT-SPRINT-MUNICH-JUNIOR-/283634471269
https://www.defynewyork.com/2012/07/22/e-b-sports-international-lydiard-marathon-sneaker-hand-made-1977/
https://blog.goo.ne.jp/soma-vintage/e/8f3330225464cf1e92920bd53883c1b4
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x443115609
https://www.podiumrunner.com/gear/photos-a-museum-curators-vintage-running-shoe-collection/
https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/news-photo/deutsche-cross-lauf-meisterin-in-der-langstrecke-%C3%BCber-5-200-news-photo/1213378806
https://more.arrs.run/runner/5607
https://seidenraupen.org/laufen-in-krefeld/geschichte-erlaufen-deutsche-marathon-meisterschaft-1966-und-1976-in-krefeld/fotos-der-deutschen-marathon-meisterschaft-1976/