Ted Corbitt Archives

Black Female Marathon History

Ted Corbitt Archives

2024 Articles

Ari Hendrix Wants to Keep Breaking Barriers for Black Women
By Allison Torres Burtka – Runner’s World – January 24, 2024
https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a46455531/ariane-hendrix-olympic-marathon-trials/

The Women’s 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon Will Be the Most Diverse in History
By Emilia Benton – Outside/Women’s Running – January 28, 2024
https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/people/womens-u-s-olympic-trials-marathon-will-be-the-most-diverse-in-history/

2023 Articles

For Ariane Hendrix, The Olympic Trials Marathon Is Just the Beginning
By Emilia Benton – Outside – November 9, 2023

Erika Kemp Wants to See More Runners Who Look Like Her
By Matthew Futterman – New York Times – May 6, 2023

Black American female runners are blazing a new trail in the marathon
By Kelyn Soong – Washington Post – April 28, 2023

Only 28 US-born Black women have broken three hours in the marathon. Why?
By Allison Torres Burtka – The Guardian – March 2, 2023

All-Time Best African American Female Marathoners

First Winner of a Marathon: February 1975
Marilyn Bevans - Washington Birthday Marathon, Beltsville, Maryland - 3:04:32

First Sub 3 Hour Marathon: April 1975
Marilyn Bevans – Boston Marathon - 2:55:52 - 4th place

Most Sub 3 Hour Marathons American Born:
Shawanna White (16), Marilyn Bevans (13), Michele (Bush) Cuke (11), Ella Willis (11), Michele (Soderberg) Hill (10)

Most Sub 2:45 Marathons American Born:
Michele (Bush) Cuke (8), Ella Willis (6)

Most Years All-Time Leader:
Michelle (Bush) Cuke (23), Sami Akbar (17), Marilyn Bevans (8)

American Born - Female African American All-Time Marathon Rankings
“The List”

  1. Erika Kemp – 2:22:56 – Houston Marathon – 2nd place – 2025
  2. Samia Akbar – 2:34:14 – New York City Marathon – 12th place – 2006
  3. Ariane Hendrix – 2:35:39 – California International Marathon – 30th place – 2022
  4. Sophie King – 2:35:43 – California International Marathon – 31st place – 2022 
  5. Peyton Thomas – 2:35:45 – California International Marathon – 6th place – 2023
  6. Michele Cuke – 2:37:41 – California International Marathon – 2nd place – 1991 
  7. Ella Willis – 2:38:22 – Detroit Free Press Marathon – 1st place – 1989
  8. Shaluinn Fullove – 2:41:57 – California International Marathon – 11th place – 2015
  9. Caroline Austin – 2:42:14 – California International Marathon – 84th place – 2022 
  10. Juanita Etheridge – 2:44:08 – Shamrock Marathon – 1st place – 1981 
  11. Shawanna White – 2:45:18 – One City Marathon – 3rd place – 2018
  12. Leilani Rios – 2:46:51 – Houston Marathon – 28th place – 2016
  13. Christi-Anne Beatty – 2:47:30 – Columbus Marathon – 3rd place – 2024 
  14. Sarah Wills – 2:47:56 – California International Marathon – 56th place – 2024 
  15. Ingrid Walters – 2:48:03 – Los Angeles Marathon – 1st place – 2019
  16. Madison Yerke – 2:48:14 – Chicago Marathon – 56th place – 2022
  17. Kayla Grahn – 2:48:26 – Los Angeles Marathon – 4th place – 2021
  18. Jenae Strader – 2:49:11 – Philadelphia Marathon – 4th place – 1999
  19. Gabriella Brinkley – 2:49:17 – Grandma’s Marathon – 35th place – 2024 
  20. Rolanda Bell – 2:49:36 – Chicago Marathon – 46th place – 2018
  21. Alisa Harvey – 2:49:28 – Richmond Marathon – 2nd place – 1999
  22. Marilyn Bevans – 2:49:56 – Boston Marathon – 2nd place – 1979
  23. Michele Soderberg-Hill – 2:50:19 – Sri Chinmoy Marathon (CA) – 1st place – 1983
  24. Johanna Sylvester – 2:50:40 – Chicago Marathon – 57th place – 2006 
  25. Angela Swain – 2:51:11 – Chicago Marathon – 51st place – 2017
  26. Erica Stanley-Dottin – 2:52:05 – Berlin Marathon – 84th place – 2022
  27. Sharada Maddox – 2:53:07 – London Marathon – 36th place – 2021
  28. Dira Hansen – 2:55:09 – Valencia Marathon – 98th place – 2024
  29. Nnenna Lynch – 2:55:15 – New York City Marathon – 31st place – 2022
  30. Giovanna Fischer – 2:55:33 – Berlin Marathon – 112th place – 2002
  31. Vanessa Martell – 2:55:59 – Shamrock Marathon – 2nd place – 2010 
  32. Dena Evans – 2:56:04 – Boston Marathon – 80th place – 2013
  33. Jordan Oakes – 2:56:45 – Seattle Marathon – 1st place – 2021
  34. Sika Henry – 2:57:13 – Tidewater Striders Marathon – 3rd place – 2020
  35. Janel Blancett – 2:57:18 – Twin Cities Marathon – 25th place – 2019
  36. Dana Bogan – 2:57:37 – Chicago Marathon – 165th place – 2019 
  37. Johanna Williams – 2:57:50 – Tokyo Marathon 125th place – 2025 
  38. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto – 2:58:15 – Chicago Marathon – 110th place – 2014
  39. Joie Ross – 2:59:19 – Chicago Marathon – 285th place – 2023 
  40. Bethany White – 2:59:28 – Richmond Marathon – 11th place – 2024 
  41. Danni McNeilly – 2:59:33 – Chicago Marathon – 299th place – 2023
  42. Krystine Beneke – 2:59:47 – Boston Marathon – 129th place – 2014

American Born - Female African American All-Time Best Marathon Performance Progression

Erika Kemp (2023)
Sami Akbar 2:34:14 (2006 to 2023)
Michele (Bush) Cuke 2:37:41 (1991 - 2006)
Ella Willis 2:38:22 (1989 to 1991)
Michele (Bush) Cuke 2:39:07 (1981 -1989)
Marilyn Bevans 2:49:56 (1979 to 1981)
Marilyn Bevans 2:51:12 (1977 to 1979)
Marilyn Bevans 2:55:52 (1975 to 1977)
Marilyn Bevans 3:04:32 (1975)
Marilyn Bevans 3:17:42 (1974 to 1975)
Marilyn Bevans 3:31:45 (1973 to 1974)

Female African American Olympic Marathon Trial Participation

1984: Michele (Soderberg) Hill - Did Not Finish
1988: None
1992: Ella Willis - 24th place
1996: None
2000: Jenae Strader - 41st place; Alisa (Hill) Harvey - Did Not Finish
2004: Mary Akor- 17th place
2008: Samia Akbar - 18th place; Mary Akor - 19th place; Shaluinn Fullove – 88th place
2012: Janet Bawcom - 5th place
2016: Janet Bawcom- 5th place; Obsie Birru - 114th place; Shaluinn Fullove – Did Not Finish
2020: Aliphine Tuliamuk – 1st place; Sally Kipyego – 3rd place; Peyton Thomas – 78th place; Pasca Myers – 207th place

Source: Association of Road Racing Statistician
Note: This research is ongoing in search of additional athletes.

All-Time Marathon Ranking – American Born Black Females Honorable Mention Sub-3:15 Marathon

  1. Brianna Cummings – 3:01:01 – Greater St. Louis Marathon – 1st place – 2025 
  2. Hayleigh Haid – 3:01:42 – Jacksonville Marathon – 1st place – 2023 
  3. Grace White – 3:02:44 – New Jersey Marathon – 2nd place – 2018 
  4. Natalie Mitchell – 3:05:54 – Phoenix Marathon – 19th place – 2019
  5. Tara Harris – 3:06:18 – Mountains 2 Beach Marathon – 12th place - 2024
  6. Iman Wilkerson – 3:08:57 – Bermuda Marathon – 3rd place – 2013 
  7. Claire Thompson – 3:09:17 – California International Marathon – 452nd place – 2023 
  8. Loretta Claiborne – 3:09:26 – Boston Marathon – 120th place – 1981 
  9. Tyra Holloway – 3:09:26 – Atlanta Marathon – 4th place – 2025 
  10. Nicole Pinto – 3:10:39 – Mountains 2 Beach Marathon – 15th place – 2023 
  11. Catherine Pugh – 3:10:55 – Maryland Marathon – place unknown – 1985 
  12. Ashley Davies – 3:10:55 – Chicago Marathon – 402nd place – 2019 
  13. Emily Goncalves – 3:12:05 – Wineglass Marathon – 33rd place – 2024 
  14. Juanita Chalmers – 3:12:26 – Bayshore Marathon – 29th place – 2025
  15. Kiarri Kershaw – 3:12:41 – California International Marathon – 352nd place – 2024 
  16. Akilah Deernose – 3:13:15 – New York City Marathon – 326th place – 2019 
  17. Tori Hood – 3:14:19 – Berlin Marathon – 252nd place – 2024 
  18. Maurya Lacey – 3:14:57 – New York City Marathon – 175th place – 2015 

All-Time Marathon Ranking – American Born Black Females Sub-3:30 Marathon

  1. Tyler Hill – 3:15:21 – Los Angeles Marathon – 24th place – 2018
  2. Latoya Harwell – 3:15:35 – Steamtown Marathon – 10th place – 2023
  3. Dawnta Campbell – 3:15:36 – Chicago Marathon – 952nd place – 2024 
  4. Benita Stephens – 3:16:52 – Big Bear Marathon – 67th place – 2022 
  5. Mylnn Brewer – 3:19:44 – Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon – 30th place – 2025 
  6. Rahhel Woldu – 3:19:46 – Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon – 24th place – 2024 
  7. Raven Ambers – 3:21:28 – Chicago Marathon – 1483rd place – 2024
  8. Courtney Butler – 3:21:29 – Chicago Marathon – 1461st place – 2023
  9. Jean Arthur – 3:21:42 – Marine Corps Marathon – place unknown – 1983 
  10. Donna Lewis – 3:21:48 – Marine Corps Marathon – 86th place – 1989 
  11. Cathy Ross – 3:21:51 – Rock ‘n Roll USA Marathon – 14th place – 2012 
  12. Ashley Woods – 3:22:00 – California International Marathon – 556th place – 2024 
  13. Keara Allen – 3:22:06 – Chicago Marathon – 1524th place – 2023 
  14. Victoria Bowden – 3:22:30 – Mesa Marathon – 110th place – 2025 
  15. Jacquelyn Martell – 3:23:32 – Chicago Marathon – 982nd place – 2022 
  16. Zimatu Chukumerije – 3:24:59 – One City Marathon – 13th place – 2020 
  17. Folashade Oyarijivbie – 3:25:03 – Berlin Marathon – 1602nd place – 2024 
  18. Juny Francois – 3:25:44 – Philadelphia Marathon – 228th place – 2018 
  19. Jenn Shayne – 3:26:01 – Sri Chinmoy Marathon – 3rd place – 2018 
  20. Claire Pagán – 3:26:23 – Tomoka Marathon – 6th place – 2022 
  21. Karen Thomas – 3:26:23 – Chicago Marathon – 1958th place – 2023
  22. Linda Solomon – 3:26:52 – Cheap Marathon – 18th place – 2021 
  23. Shani Dempsey – 3:26:57 – Philadelphia Marathon – 124th place – 2006 
  24. Kelly Harris – 3:26:58 – Detroit Free Press Marathon – place unknown – 2006 
  25. Nialah Ferrer – 3:27:09 – London Marathon – 1302nd place – 2023 
  26. Erika Sampson – 3:27:44 – Tunnel Light Marathon – 19th place – 2021 
  27. Asia Rawls – 3:28:05 – Detroit Free Press Marathon – 42nd place – 2023
  28. Cori Conley – 3:28:33 – Berlin Marathon – 372nd place – 2024 
  29. Tasheri Artis – 3:28:34 – Berlin Marathon – 196th place – 2022 
  30. Meredith Rainey-Valmon – 3:28:39 – New York City Marathon – 249th place – 2003 
  31. Laura Wiese Godfrey – 3:29:45 – Houston Marathon – 304th place – 2020 
Marilyn Bevans in the 1979 Maryland Marathon
Marilyn Bevans
Closeup shot of female athlete running
Erika Kemp
Sami Akbar in an International Marathon
Samia Akbar
Closeup shot of male athlete running
Ariane Hendrix Roach
Sophie King
Peyton Thomas in a Marathon
Peyton Thomas
Picture of Michele Cuke in a Race
Michele (Bush) Cuke
Ella Willis Running
Ella Willis
Shaluinn Fullove Running
Shaluinn Fullove
Ted Corbitt Archives
Caroline Austin
Shawanna White Finishing a Race
Shawanna White
Leilani Rios during the Black Female Marathon
Leilani Rios
Christi-Anne Beatty
Christi-Anne Beatty
Sarah Wills
Ingrid Walters
Ingrid Walters
Madison Yerke Running in the Black Female Marathon
Madison Yerke
Kayla Grahn in Black Female Marathon History
Kayla Grahn
Jenae Strader
Jenae Strader
Gabriella Brinkley
Alisa Harvey Running
Alisa (Hill) Harvey
Rolanda Bell
Michele (Soderberg) Hill
Michele (Soderberg) Hill
Angela Swain Running
Angela Swain
Erica Stanley Dottin wearing the glasses
Erica Stanley-Dottin
Sharada Maddox in the Black Female Marathon
Sharada Maddox
Dira Hansen about to reach the final race line
Dira Hansen
Ted Corbitt Archives
Nnenna Lynch
Giovanna Fischer in the Black Female Marathon
Giovanna Fischer
Vanessa Martell
Image of Dena Evans
Dena Evans
Jordan Oakes running in the Black Female Marathon
Jordan Oakes
Sika Henry Running a Marathon
Sika Henry
Janel Blancett Running a Marathon
Janel Blancett
Dana Bogan
Johanna Williams
Closeup shot of female athlete with medal
Aurelia Skipwith
Joie Ross
Bethany White
Danni McNeilly smiling while running a race
Danni McNeilly
Krystine Beneke
Krystine Beneke