Adrienne Beames

Adrienne Beames (born 7 September 1942 in Victoria, Australia^[1]) is an Australian long-distance runner frequently credited as the first woman to break the 3-hour barrier in the marathon.^[2][3] On 31 August 1971, Beames ran a 2:46:30 in Werribee, Victoria, Australia, shattering the previous women’s world best of 3:01:42 set three months earlier by US-American Beth Bonner at the AAU Eastern Regional Championships in Philadelphia.^[2][4] According to some sources, this mark stood until 27 October 1974 when Chantal Langlacé ran 2:46:24 in Neuf-Brisach, France.^[2]

Some sources question the validity of Beames’ run and indicate that it was Bonner who actually first broke three hours with a 2:55:22 at the New York City Marathon on 19 September 1971.^[5] In the early 1970s, women's marathoning was met with deep hostility;^[3][6][7] the 1500 meters was the longest track event officially recognized for women.^[8] When Beames' attempts to officially enter a marathon were thwarted, she and her coach, Fred Warwick, organized an invitational event to be run over a certified course in Werribee.^[3][8] Despite Warwick's request, the now defunct Victorian Women's Amateur Athletic Association refused to time the event.^[8] Dismissed by the press as a "time trial", Beames performance was not officially verified or recognized.^{[3][6][9][10]} The International Association of Athletics Federations, the international governing body for the sport of athletics, does not recognize the mark in their progression for the marathon world best.^[11]

Beames was suspended by local officials in Sydney when she entered a race without their permission, thereby ending her hopes of competing in the 1972 Munich Olympics.^[3] In the 1970s, she moved to the United States where she studied, worked, and competed on the American road racing circuit.^[3][8] By 1973, Beames held women’s world bests in the 5000 and 10000 as well as the marathon.^[12] Beames posted an official 2:46:32 at a marathon in Scottsdale, Arizona on 10 December 1977.^[13] She won the inaugural Asics Half Marathon with a 1:22:15 on 23 July 1983.^[14][15]

Adrienne Beames is the daughter of Australian rules footballer, first-class cricketer, and journalist Percy Beames.^[8] She excelled in tennis and squash before taking up running.^[8] In 1990, she earned a graduate diploma in sports science.^[8]

References