| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women'sathletics | ||
Representing China | ||
| Asian Games | ||
 | 1986 Seoul | 10,000 m |
Xiao Hongyan (Chinese:肖紅艷;pinyin:Xiāo Hóngyàn; born 26 January 1965) is a formerChineselong-distance runner. She was the bronze medallist in the10,000 metres at the1986 Asian Games and won the 1988Rotterdam Marathon. Her personal best of 2:32:11 hours is a former Chinese record for the marathon.
Born inRushan, Shandong, she started out as amiddle-distance runner and won the national junior800 metres and1500 metres titles in 1982. She quickly moved up to themarathon distance and came third in the event at the1983 Chinese National Games.[1] She won the Chinese senior title over10,000 metres at the 1986 national championships and gained selection for the1986 Asian Games as a result.[2] She was primarily instructed to run tactically to provide the more talentedWang Xiuting with a chance to win the title.[1] Her team mate won the race while Xiao finished behind Japan'sKumi Araki to take thebronze medal.[3]
In respect of this achievement, she was entered into the marathon at the1987 Chinese National Games and she won thegold medal in a career best performance of 2:32:11 hours.[4] This time was aChinese national record for the event, although it lasted less than a year asZhao Youfeng ran faster in March 1988.[5] She was given permission to compete at theRotterdam Marathon in April 1988 and she became the race's first Asian champion, winning in a time of 2:37:46 hours.[6]
She retired from competition and became a coach in theShandong Province from 1992 onwards. She has trained athletes to an international junior standard, includingSun Guanghong andLi Yunxia. In recognition of her achievements, she has received National Labor Medals from her Province and received merits from the regional sports committee.[1]
