Sketch of a lanky runner wearing a singlet

Black Female Marathon History

Photograph of a runner sprinting on road

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)

The List of American-Born Black female Marathoners Who have Run Sub-3:00 All-Time Marathon Rankings

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

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

  1. Hayleigh Haid – 3:00:27 – Boston Marathon – 637th place – 2026
  2. Brianna Cummings – 3:01:01 – Greater St. Louis Marathon – 1st place – 2025
  3. Grace White – 3:02:44 – New Jersey Marathon – 2nd place – 2018
  4. Serena Eley – 3:02:48 – Indianapolis Monumental Marathon – 16th place – 2013
  5. Tori Hood – 3:05:06 – Boston Marathon – 1009th place – 2026
  6. Natalie Mitchell – 3:05:54 – Phoenix Marathon – 19th place – 2019
  7. Taylor Kriha – 3:06:00 – Chicago Marathon – 626th place – 2025
  8. Folashade O. – 3:06:05 – Grandma’s Marathon – 114th place – 2026
  9. Tara Harris – 3:06:18 – Mountains 2 Beach Marathon – 12th place – 2024
  10. Tyra Holloway – 3:06:34 – Atlanta Marathon – 3rd place – 2026
  11. Raven Ambers – 3:08:39 – Boston Marathon – 1424th place – 2026
  12. Iman Wilkerson – 3:08:57 – Bermuda Marathon – 3rd place – 2013
  13. Claire Thompson – 3:09:17 – California International Marathon – 452nd place – 2023
  14. Loretta Claiborne – 3:09:26 – Boston Marathon – 120th place – 1981
  15. Dawnta Campbell – 3:10:17 – California International Marathon – 392nd place – 2025
  16. Nicole Pinto – 3:10:39 – Mountains 2 Beach Marathon – 15th place – 2023
  17. Catherine Pugh – 3:10:55 – Maryland Marathon – place unknown – 1985
  18. Ashley Davies – 3:10:55 – Chicago Marathon – 402nd place – 2019
  19. Kiarri Kershaw – 3:11:01 – Chicago Marathon – 933rd place – 2025
  20. Asasia Pierce – 3:11:49 – Houston Marathon – 168th place – 2026
  21. Emily Goncalves – 3:12:05 – Wineglass Marathon – 33rd place – 2024
  22. Juanita Chalmers – 3:12:26 – Bayshore Marathon – 29th place – 2025
  23. Taylor Johnson – 3:12:51 – Grandma’s Marathon – 158th place – 2026
  24. Akilah Deernose – 3:13:15 – New York City Marathon – 326th place – 2019
  25. Georgie Ariano – 3:14:34 – Detroit Free Press Marathon – 31st place – 2024
  26. Zuri Trent – 3:14:38 – Berlin Marathon – 89th place – 2022
  27. Maurya Lacey – 3:14:57 – New York City Marathon – 175th place – 2015

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

  1. Tyler Hill – 3:15:21 – Los Angeles Marathon – 24th place – 2018
  2. Latoya Harwell – 3:15:35 – Steamtown Marathon – 10th place – 2023
  3. Tiara Smith – 3:16:33 – California International Marathon – 499th place – 2025
  4. Benita Stephens – 3:16:52 – Big Bear Marathon – 67th place – 2022
  5. Joi Cole – 3:18:17 – Sri Chinmoy Marathon – 10th place – 2026
  6. Laura Stokes – 3:18:43 – Eugene Marathon – 173rd place – 2026
  7. Mylnn Brewer – 3:19:44 – Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon – 30th place – 2025
  8. Rahhel Woldu – 3:19:46 – Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon – 24th place – 2024
  9. Tyronna Johnson – 3:19:50 – Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon – 21st place – 2013
  10. Ashley Woods – 3:20:33 – Chicago Marathon – 1806th place – 2025
  11. Courtney Butler – 3:21:29 – Chicago Marathon – 1461st place – 2023
  12. Jean Arthur – 3:21:42 – Marine Corps Marathon – place unknown – 1983
  13. Donna Lewis – 3:21:48 – Marine Corps Marathon – 86th place – 1989
  14. Cathy Ross – 3:21:51 – Rock ‘n Roll USA Marathon – 14th place – 2012
  15. Keara Allen – 3:22:06 – Chicago Marathon – 1524th place – 2023
  16. Victoria Bowden – 3:22:30 – Mesa Marathon – 110th place – 2025
  17. Zimatu Chukumerije – 3:23:20 – Montreal Marathon – 40th place – 2025
  18. Sarah Lyons – 3:23:30 – California International Marathon – 602nd place – 2024
  19. Jacquelyn Martell – 3:23:32 – Chicago Marathon – 982nd place – 2022
  20. Christina White – 3:24:00 – Erie Marathon – 74th place – 2025
  21. Juny Francois – 3:25:44 – Philadelphia Marathon – 228th place – 2018
  22. Jenn Shayne – 3:26:01 – Sri Chinmoy Marathon – 3rd place – 2018
  23. Claire Pagán – 3:26:23 – Tomoka Marathon – 6th place – 2022
  24. Karen Thomas – 3:26:23 – Chicago Marathon – 1958th place – 2023
  25. Brittany Scott – 3:26:51 – Marine Corps Marathon – 357th place – 2025
  26. Linda Solomon – 3:26:52 – Cheap Marathon – 18th place – 2021
  27. Shani Dempsey – 3:26:57 – Philadelphia Marathon – 124th place – 2006
  28. Kelly Harris – 3:26:58 – Detroit Free Press Marathon – place unknown – 2006
  29. Nialah Ferrer – 3:27:09 – London Marathon – 1302nd place – 2023
  30. Erika Sampson – 3:27:44 – Tunnel Light Marathon – 19th place – 2021
  31. Asia Rawls – 3:28:05 – Detroit Free Press Marathon – 42nd place – 2023
  32. Cori Conley – 3:28:33 – Berlin Marathon – 372nd place – 2024
  33. Tasheri Artis – 3:28:34 – Berlin Marathon – 196th place – 2022
  34. Meredith Rainey-Valmon – 3:28:39 – New York City Marathon – 249th place – 2003
  35. Laura Wiese Godfrey – 3:29:45 – Houston Marathon – 304th place – 2020

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.

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
Runner in heart singlet giving thumbs up
Ariane Hendrix Roach
Black-and-white female runner with race bib
Sophie King
Peyton Thomas in a Marathon
Peyton Thomas
Picture of Michele Cuke in a Race
Michele (Bush) Cuke
Runner wearing yellow spotted tights in race
Ella Willis in blur frame
Shaluinn Fullove Running
Shaluinn Fullove
Steeplechase athlete clearing barrier midair
Caroline Austin
Shawanna White Finishing a Race
Shawanna White
Leilani Rios during the Black Female Marathon
Leilani Rios
Christi-Anne Beatty
Christi-Anne Beatty
Marathon runner wearing reflective sunglasses
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
Runner in orange shirt crossing finish line
Gabriella Brinkley
Alisa Harvey Running
Alisa (Hill) Harvey
Woman running outdoors in navy sports bra
Rolanda Bell
Michele (Soderberg) Hill
Michele (Soderberg) Hill
Woman jogging on city riverwalk with skyscrapers
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
Villanova runner wearing bib number 212
Nnenna Lynch
Giovanna Fischer in the Black Female Marathon
Giovanna Fischer
Runner with race bib sprinting past lighthouse
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
Smiling runner in neon green tank top
Dana Bogan
Runner in black outfit sprinting during road race
Johanna Williams
Closeup shot of female athlete with medal
Aurelia Skipwith
Smiling female runner giving thumbs up
Joie Ross
Female runner wearing yellow top and bib
Bethany White
Danni McNeilly smiling while running a race
Danni McNeilly
Krystine Beneke
Krystine Beneke