AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) is deeply saddened by the news that Norwegian icon and pioneer of women's Marathon running, Grete Waitz, passed away on 19 April.

Grete Waitz had a long and successful career on the track (recording two world records at 3000m) and in cross country before turning to the Marathon in 1978. She ran the New York City Marathon and posted a world best time in her debut of 2:32:30, lowering it to 2:27:33 in the same race the following year, and to 2:25:41 in 1980. She won New York again in 1982 and 1983, in the same year briefly recapturing the world record in the London Marathon in 2:25:29 and winning the inaugural World Championships in Athletics women's Marathon in Helsinki. In 1984 she finished second in the Inaugural Women's Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles. She won nine times in New York and twice in London. She dropped out of the 1988 Olympic Marathon in the later stages, and although later retired from competition continued to participate in events, encouraging fitness awareness and and charitable causes. She ran the 1992 New York City Marathon with race founder Fred Lebow, after he was diagnosed with brain cancer. In 2005 she was herself diagnosed with cancer, and in 2007 set up a cancer care foundation funded through an agreement with adidas to direct a percentage of sales receipts from their Grete Waitz and Modern Classics collections. She died of cancer on 19 April 2011, aged 57.

Paco Borao President of AIMS (Association of International Marathons & Distance Races) comments: 'It is with great sadness that the world has lost such a fantastic athlete and person who was a positive role model and pioneer for women in running. The world of running will mourn her loss. Our memories of Grete as a sporting icon and her outstanding achievements will live on for all time.'

For further information on this news release please contact:

Peter McLean Director of Public Relations Association of International Marathons & Distance Races PMPR, Windsor House, 15 Kirklee Terrace, Kelvinside Glasgow, Scotland Tel: 44-(0)141-357-7396 Mob: 44-(0)774-037-1909 peter@prexcellence.com