Most notable among the qualifiers was 48 - yearold Joan Benoit Samuelson the U.S. record - holder in the event .
48 - yearold Joan Benoit Samuelson is the gold medalist at the inaugural Olympic Marathon in 1984 and until 2003 .
Most notable among the qualifiers was 48 - yearold Joan Benoit Samuelson , the gold medalist at the inaugural Olympic Marathon in 1984 and until 2003 , the U.S. record - holder in the event .