Allison Roe

Allison Roe (born 1956) is a legendary New Zealand marathon runner who emerged as one of the world's top distance athletes during the 1980s. Born and raised in New Zealand, Roe developed her running talent from a young age and eventually competed at the highest international levels. Her most famous achievements came at the New York City Marathon, where she secured back-to-back victories in 1981 and 1982, establishing herself as one of the era's premier marathon competitors. Roe was known for her exceptional endurance, tactical racing intelligence, and ability to maintain peak performance across multiple major marathons. Beyond her victories in New York, she competed successfully in other prestigious marathons and represented New Zealand internationally. Her dominance in the early 1980s made her an inspiration for female distance runners worldwide and helped elevate the profile of women's marathon running during a transformative period for the sport. Roe's legacy continues to influence women's distance running in her native New Zealand and globally.