A video of Senator King talking about ‘successful runs’ with Benoit Samuelson can be found here
BRUNSWICK, ME—Today, U.S. Senator Angus King’s reelection campaign has announced that it has received the endorsement of former gold medal Olympian and Cape Elizabeth native, Joan Benoit Samuelson.
In a statement shared by the campaign, Benoit Samuelson wrote:
“I’m inspired by Angus’s desire to run again for the U.S. Senate. He has never been one to sit by the sidelines. Rather, he brings vision, energy, and determination while working to do what is best and right for all of us.
– Joan Benoit Samuelson, 1984 Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist
“Angus is a steadfast leader which is why I’m proud to endorse him for the United States Senate to represent Maine.”
Born in Cape Elizabeth, Joan Benoit Samuelson ran track and cross country at Bowdoin before earning All-American honors at North Carolina State in 1977 and 1978. She then entered the 1979 Boston Marathon as a relatively unknown runner yet won the by race knocking eight minutes off the competition record. Benoit Samuelson also captured the U.S. 10,000-meter championship in 1981, and won the Boston Marathon again in 1983, setting a new world record in the process. She captured the 3,000 at the Pan American Games the same year.
Prior to the Los Angeles 1984 Games, Benoit Samuelson suffered from a severe knee injury, forcing her to undergo surgery just 17 days before the U.S. Olympic Trials. She would go on to win the trials and repeat her success in Los Angeles, winning the first-ever women’s marathon at an Olympic Games. With a win at the 1985 Chicago Marathon, Benoit Samuelson was presented the James E. Sullivan award as the nation’s best amateur athlete.
Today, she continues to compete in marathons and long-distance events and has also served as a cross-country coach, motivational speaker and sports commentator. In 2020, she was inducted into the Maine Women’s Hall of Fame, and just this year, the Maine Historical Society named her the 2024 Maine History Maker.
For more information on Senator King’s re-election campaign, accomplishments and goals, please visit AngusForMaine.com.
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