Christa Vahlensieck

Christa Vahlensieck (née Kofferschläger - 1973) (born 27 May 1949 in Düsseldorf) is a former German long distance runner and pioneer in the marathon for women.

Biography

On 28 October 1973 in Waldniel, she became the first German woman to complete the marathon in under three hours (2:59:26; under her maiden name Christa Kofferschläger). She set another German record (2:53:00) at the Boston Marathon on 15 April 1974. Both times were also European bests.

In the same year, she won the Essen Marathon in 2:42:38. The time was not recognized as a world record because the course was 745 m too short.

On 3 May 1975, she succeeded at setting the world record at Dülmen with a time of 2:40:16. In the same year, she was the first German winner at the Schwarzwald Marathon in 2:45:43, a time that still stands as the course record.

On 10 September 1977, her victory at the Berlin Marathon in 2:34:48 gave her another world record.

At the 1983 World Championship in Helsinki she placed 19th (2:40:43).

From 1973 to 1989, she won 21 marathons, among them the 1977 Berlin Marathon, five times at the Košice Peace Marathon (1981, 1984, 1986 - 1988) and the 1989 Vienna Marathon.

Other Records

She won 11 West German national titles:

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  West Germany
1977 Berlin Marathon Berlin, West Germany 1st Marathon 2:34:48
1982 Osaka Ladies Marathon Osaka, Japan 3rd Marathon 2:34:42
1983 World Championships Helsinki, Finland 19th Marathon 2:40:43
New York City Marathon New York City, United States 6th Marathon 2:35:59
1986 California International Marathon Sacramento, United States 1st Marathon 2:39:31
New York City Marathon New York City, United States 9th Marathon 2:38:12
1989 Vienna Marathon Vienna, Austria 1st Marathon 2:34:47

External links

Records
Preceded by
East Germany Liane Winter
Women's Marathon World Record Holder
May 3, 1975 October 12, 1975
Succeeded by
United States Jacqueline Hansen
Preceded by
France Chantal Langlacé
Women's Marathon World Record Holder
September 10, 1977 October 22, 1978
Succeeded by
Norway Grete Waitz