Francie Larrieu-Smith

Francie Larrieu-Smith had one of the longest distance running careers of any American ever. She competed in the Olympic Games in 1972, 1976, 1988, and 1992, won 16 national titles on the track, three AIAW titles, all in 1974, and was AAU cross-country champion in 1973-74. Internationally, Larrieu represented the USA numerous times, placing second at the 1977 World Cup in the 1,500 and second in the 1991 World Cup marathon.

She was the sister of Ron Larrieu, an Olympic distance runner for the US, is a member of the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame, and now works in public relations. Larrieu-Smith attended Cal State Long Beach and UCLA, and represented numerous clubs during her long career. She later became a coach, coaching for 20 years at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas.

Personal Bests: 800 – 2:00.22 (1976); 1500 – 4:05.09 (1976); Mile – 4:27.52 (1979); 3000 – 8:50.54 (1985); 2 miles – 9:38.1i (1981); 5000 – 15:15.2 (1988); 10000 – 31:28.92 (1991); Mar – 2-27:35 (1991).