Norwegian "first lady" of running, Grete Waitz, has been selected to receive the 1997-98 Leif Erikson Day Citation Award. The honor is awarded by the Third District Sons of Norway chapter. Waitz was selected from a list of five nominees.
News of Norway, issue 6, 1997
The formal presentation of the award will take place at the Bandshell in Central Park, New York on Oct. 12, probably around noon, in connection with the award ceremony for the annual Norway Run and Grete’s Great Gallop in New York.
The award has been given out on a continuous basis for the past 30 years and is given to an individual or group that has made significant contributions on behalf of public or charitable service, or in education, sports, science, medicine, in cultural advancement or as a humanitarian.
Waitz was selected for this award based on her many achievements as a world class runner, as an organizer and promoter for sporting events for women and as a contributor to the advancement of Norwegian culture and heritage. Among Waitz’ merits are a Silver Medal from the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and nine first places in the New York Marathon. She is also a St. Olav Medal recipient. Another accomplishment is her annual Grete Waitz Run in Oslo that she hosts and supervises. This is a race for women only and draws about 45,000 female runners. A comparison that appeared in the August issue of Runner’s World puts this number in perspective. An equivalent race in the United States would have to draw 2.5 million American women to equal the Norwegian turnout.
Grete Waitz is also the host of the Norway Run and Grete’s Gallop that takes place annually in Central Park.