Biography
Hansen set a world best mark on December 1, 1974, with a 2:43:55 performance at the Western Hemisphere Marathon in Culver City, California, then recaptured it from Christa Vahlensieck of West Germany on October 12, 1975, with 2:38:19 at the Nike OTC Marathon in Eugene, Oregon.[1][2][3][nb 1] With these two performances, she was ranked first in women's marathon for 1974 and 1975.[4]
Hansen won 12 of her first 15 marathons.[5] Among these victories, she won the prestigious Boston Marathon in 1973, the Honolulu Marathon in 1975, and the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in 1976.[6][7][8] Hansen is also a three-time winner of the Western Hemisphere Marathon (1972, 1974, 1977) and the Catalina Marathon (1979, 1981, 1982).[2][9]
At the 1987 World Masters Athletics Championships in Melbourne, Australia, Hansen won titles in the 1,500 meters and the 5,000 meters.[5][10]
Hansen was the president of a group, the International Runners Committee, that successfully lobbied the International Olympic Committee to add women's events for the 5,000 meters, the 10,000 meters, and the marathon.[5]
Hansen was a member of the Los Angeles Track Club, 1970-1972; Southern California Striders, 1973-1974; San Fernando Valley Track Club, 1974-1983 & 1987-1993; and Oregon Track Club 1983-1987. After her competitive running career, Hansen worked for the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles,[5] and coached an all women's running team called "See Jane Run" (later known as "The Janes") to multiple USA Cross Country Championships.[11][12]
Hansen attended Granada Hills High School and Los Angeles Pierce College, and is a 1974 graduate of California State University, Northridge.[13]
