Maria Guida

Distance runner Maria Guida represented Italy in the 10,000 m at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta where she advanced to the second round but did not make the final. At the age of 36, she had the highlight performance of her career winning the 2002 European Championships marathon in München in 2-26:05. For many years Guida was a track specialist, finishing fourth over 10,000 m at the 1995 World Championships and winning the Europa Cup.

An Italian record holder in the 5,000 m in 1996 (14:58.84) and 10,000 m in 1995 (31:27.82), Guida was the first Italian woman to go under 15 minutes in the 5,000 m and under 32 minutes in the 10,000 m. Her personal best marathon time of 2-25:57 was set in Carpi (1999). The winner of 10 national titles (six in the 10,000 m, three in the half-marathon, and one in cross-country), Guida was a national team member from 1988-2002 and competed in 29 international competitions.

Personal Best: 10,000 m – 31:27.82 (1995).