Lorraine Moller

Lorraine Mary Moller (born June 1, 1955 in Putaruru) is a former athlete from New Zealand, who competed in track athletics and later specialised in the marathon. Moller's international career lasted over 20 years and included 3 Commonwealth and 4 Olympic Games. The highlight of her career was winning the Bronze medal in the marathon at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain when she was aged 37. [ [http://www.olympic.org.nz/Athletes/AthleteProfile.aspx?Print=&ContactID=1235&id=3774 Profile at the official New Zealand Olympic Committee website] ]

Track career

Moller's first international competition was the 1974 British Commonwealth Games at Christchurch where she finished fifth in the 800m. Her time of 2:03.63 remained her lifetime best and is still the fastest ever by a New Zealand junior (under 20) woman. [http://www.athletics.org.nz/Resource.aspx?ID=2943 Athletics New Zealand Records: Best Performances] ]

Although Moller ran her first marathon in 1979 that event was not held at an international Games until 1984. Instead she was selected for both the 1500m and 3000m at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, winning Bronze medals for both events.

In 1985 Moller broke the New Zealand 1500m record, running 4:10.35 at Brussels. In 1986 at the Commonwealth Games, as well as the marathon (see below), she competed in the 3000m, finishing fifth.Amazingly, despite such a long and impressive international record, Moller never won a New Zealand track title.

As of FULLDATE Moller ranks in the all-time top ten in New Zealand for the 1500m, Mile, 3000m and 5000m. She also ranks 11th for the 10000m.

Personal Bests:
*800m: 2:03.63 (1974)
*1500m: 4:10.35 (1985)
*Mile: 4:32.97 (1985)
*3000m: 8:51.78 (1983)
*5000m: 15:35.75 (1985)
*10000m: 32:40.17 (1988)

Marathon career

Moller ran her first marathon on 23 June, 1979, winning the Grandma's Marathon at Duluth, Minnesota in 2:37:37. The time was the fastest ever by a New Zealander and the sixth-fastest ever run by a woman.Heidenstrom, P. (1992) "Athletes of the Century." Wellington: GP Publications.] She then won her next 7 marathons.

She is a triple winner of the Osaka Marathon.

All of Moller's appearances at the Olympic Games were in the marathon. Her full records is:
*1984: 5th (2:28:34)
*1988: 33rd (2:37:52)
*1992: 3rd (2:33:59)
*1996: 46th (2:42:21)

She also won the Silver medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, running 2:28:17, her lifetime best.

Author

Moller, Lorraine. On the Wings of Mercury: The Lorraine Moller Story. 2007. Longacre Press. ISBN 9781877361999. [http://www.longacre.co.nz/books/Mercury.html Longacre Press] ]

Audio Interviews

* [http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2007/07/podcast-65-female-running-pioneer-and-lydiard-protege-lorraine-moller-part-12/ TheFinalSprint.com's Podcast Interview] : "LORRAINE MOLLER: Female running pioneer and Lydiard protégé: [http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2007/07/podcast-65-female-running-pioneer-and-lydiard-protege-lorraine-moller-part-12/"Part 1"] and [http://www.thefinalsprint.com/2007/07/podcast-65-female-running-pioneer-and-lydiard-protege-lorraine-moller-part-22/"Part 2"]
* [http://track.flocasts.org/articles/view/431-lorraine-moller-on-the-wings-of-mercury Interview at "flotrack"]

References