Lisa Larsen Rainsberger, previously known as Lisa Larsen Weidenbach, (born May 7, 1961) is a distance runner. She is a member of the University of Michigan Track and Field and Road Runners of America Halls of Fame.[1] Her marathon times were among the top ten in the US in 1984 and 1987–1994.[2] As of 2008, she was listed four times in the top 100 all-time US women's marathon performances, with a best time of 2:28:15.[3]
While in high school in Battle Creek, Michigan, Rainsberger won competitions as a swimmer in the Individual Medley, qualifying for the 1980 Olympic Swimming trials, and later competed on scholarship as an All-American swimmer in college at the University of Michigan. She walked away from that scholarship to earn another as a collegiate runner and was a two-time All-American in track and cross country.
In 1984, she ran the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon trials where she finished fourth, missing a spot in the Olympic games.[4] In 1985, she won the Boston Marathon in a time of 2:34:06.[5] An American did not win the Boston Marathon again until 2018, 33 years later, when Desiree Linden ran to victory.[6] Rainsberger finished first back-to-back in the Chicago Marathon in 1988 (2:29:17) and 1989 (2:28:15), something no American woman has repeated since.[citation needed] She had run in numerous other distance races on the track and road, in the United States and abroad (notably Japan's Hokkaido Marathon).
Rainsberger ended her 12-year career of professional competition after a final attempt to become a professional triathlete and training for the Olympics. She now focuses on her family and coaching. She coaches members of the Army's world class athlete program,[7][8] and her daughter, Katie Rainsberger, who is a champion in her own right.[9]
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the ![]() | |||||
1984 | US Olympic Marathon Trial | Olympia, Washington, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:33.10 |
1985 | Boston Marathon | Boston, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:34:06 |
1988 | Pittsburgh Marathon (US Olympic Trial) | Pittsburgh, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:31:06 |
Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:29:17 | |
1989 | Chicago Marathon | Chicago, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:28:15 |
1990 | London Marathon | London, England | 3rd | Marathon | 2:28:16 |
Hokkaido Marathon | Sapporo, Japan | 1st | Marathon | 2:31:29 | |
1992 | Houston Marathon (US Olympic Trial) | Houston, United States | 4th | Marathon | 2:33:32 |
1993 | Twin Cities Marathon | Minneapolis, United States | 1st | Marathon | 2:33:38 |