Cathy Schiro O'Brien (born July 19, 1967, inJanesville, Wisconsin) is a retired femalelong-distance runner from the United States. She was an Olympian, and she holds the US women's high school record in the marathon. O'Brien set her personal best (2:29:38) in the women'smarathon when she won the women'sLos Angeles Marathon in 1991.
While attendingDover High School inNew Hampshire, Cathy qualified for the 1984Olympic Trials Marathon in her first marathon, at 2:45.07. In the trials, held inOlympia, Washington, when she was only 16 years old, she ran 2:34:24. She finished in 9th place after being a legitimate contender for third place on the team, until fading in the last few miles.[1] Her time there still stands as thenational high school women's record in the marathon, and it was a junior record that lasted for 36 years.[2][3] She competed in the United States Olympic Trials Marathon two more times in 1988 and 1992. In the Olympic Trials Marathon in 1988 (May 1) inPittsburgh, she finished third in a time of 2:30:18, which qualified her for the US Olympic team. O'Brien then placed 40th in the women's marathon at1988 Summer Olympics inSeoul, South Korea.[4] In the Olympic Trials Marathon in 1992 (January 26), inHouston, she finished second in a time of 2:30:28, qualifying her for the1992 Summer Olympics inBarcelona, Spain. O'Brien was 10th overall and the top-finishing American.
Some of her notable performances include:
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing United States | ||||
| 1988 | Olympic Games | Seoul, South Korea | 40th | 2:41:04 |
| 1991 | Los Angeles Marathon | Los Angeles, United States | 1st | 2:29:38 |
| 1992 | Olympic Games | Barcelona, Spain | 10th | 2:39:42 |
