Geoff Smith (athlete)

Geoffrey ("Geoff") Smith (born 24 October 1953) is a British long-distance runner who won the Boston Marathon in both 1984 and 1985.

Notable Information

• Smith's best time in the marathon was 2:09:08, when he finished 2nd to Rod Dixon in the New York City Marathon in 1983. Smith only lost by nine seconds.

• Smith was a senior at Providence College when he won the 1984 Boston Marathon.

• Both of Smith's wins at Boston were by strong margins. His 1984 win was by over four minutes.

• Competed in the Olympics for Great Britain in the 1980 10000m race and the 1984 marathon

• Works as a middle school teacher and lives in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts as of 2004.

• Has not run at the Boston Marathon since 1990

• Worked as a firefighter for ten years in the United Kingdom after his high school graduation. Entered Providence College in 1980 at the age of 26.

• Ran a 3:55 mile in Wales in 1982

• Was the last person to win the Boston Marathon before the race organizers began giving out prize money to the winners.
• Stopped running in the early 1990s having suffered hip problems since birth. Had both hips replaced and has started running again in June 2013. Is coaching local runners South of Boston.

Achievements

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing United Kingdom
1980	Olympic Games	Moscow, Soviet Union	7th (Q)	10000 m	30:00.01
1983	New York City Marathon	New York, United States	2nd	Marathon	2:09:08
1984	Boston Marathon	Boston, United States	1st	Marathon	2:10:34
1984	Olympic Games	Los Angeles, United States	—	Marathon	DNF
1985	Boston Marathon	Boston, United States	1st	Marathon	2:14:05
1987	World Championships	Rome, Italy	—	Marathon	DNF

See also

• List of winners of the Boston Marathon

References

• 1980 Year Ranking