Marathon Statistics

First Marathon: 2006 New York Marathon - Time: 2.34.14
First Sub Three-Hour Marathon: 2006 New York Marathon - Time: 2.34.14
Fastest Marathon: 2006 New York Marathon - Time: 2.34.14
Number of Marathons Completed: 4

Hometown: Oak Hill, VA

Current Residence: Alexandria, VA

Spouse: Corey Kauffman

Oakton High School (Vienna, VA) Highlight

Graduated in 1999
Held high school record in the 1500m (5:11.17) in 1999

American University (AU) Highlights

Graduated in 2003
Inducted into the Stafford H. “Pop” Cassell Hall of Fame in 2017
American University's first female track All-American in 2003 and American University’s first individual All-American.
Set 1000m indoor AU school record (2:53.35).
Set 1500m indoor AU school record (5:04.71).
Set one-mile indoor AU school record (4:55.59).
Set 3000m indoor AU school record (9:43.50).
Set 5000m indoor AU school record (17:20.14).
Set 4x800m relay indoor AU school record (9:10.59).
Set distance medley relay indoor AU school record (12:03.92).
Set 800m outdoor AU school record (2:18.47).
Set 1500m outdoor AU school record (4:27.66).
Set 3000m outdoor AU school record (10:18.19).
Set 5000m outdoor AU school record (16:20.62).
Set 10000m outdoor AU school record (33:38.55).
Set 4x800m relay outdoor AU school record (9:14.01).
Set distance medley outdoor AU school record (12:34.35).
Won four Patriot League Indoor Track titles.
Won two Patriot League Outdoor Championships titles.
Won the 2002 Patriot League Conference Cross Country Championship and was the league's Outstanding Runner of the meet.

Professional Career Highlights:

2006 RRCA Roads Scholar.
Earned Sponsorship as a Professional Runner by Reebok for 7 years.
Represented the USA on the following teams:

2009 Yokohama Ekiden Team
2007 Osaka World Championships on the Women’s US Marathon Team
2005 Bejing Ekiden Team

Finished the 2008 US Olympic Trials for the Marathon.
Set course record while winning the 2009 Army 10 Miler in 55:25.
Runner up in the 2010 USA Women’s 25K Championships.
Won the 2008 National Half Marathon in 1:16:31.
Won the Inaugural 2013 Nike DC Women’s Half Marathon.

Personal Best Times *

Road Race
Distance	Time
5K	16:30
10K	33:14:00
15K	51:56:00
10 miles	54:46:00
Half Marathon	1:13:13
25K	1:29:03
Marathon	2:34:14

Outdoor Track
Distance	Time
3K	09:11.9
5K	16:01.0
10K	32:41.8

Indoor Track
Distance	Time
5K	16:05.3

* Source: Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS)

Marathon Statistics

First Marathon: Santa Monica Marathon - Time: 3:23
First Sub Three-Hour Marathon: 1981 Avon Marathon - Time: 2.39.07
Fastest Marathon: 1991 California International Marathon - Time: 2.37.41
Number of Marathons Completed: 12
Number Open Marathon Wins: 0
Number of Open Marathons Places: 2
Number of Master Division Wins: 0
Number of Master Division Places: 0
Number of Age Group Awards: 0

Current Residence: Wappingers Falls, NY

Husband: Pastor David Cuke

Children

Dachele Cuke, marketing director at Washington Adventist University
David Cuke, II recent college graduate goal to pursue physical therapy
MIchael Cuke, graduated college 2021, accepted a pastorate position in Hawaii

Rolling Hills HIgh School Highlights

Graduated in 1979

Placed 2nd in the 800 meters in the California State track meet (11^th grade)
Won the CIF cross country finals (11^th grade)
Two-time winner of the CIF track and field championships (10th and 11th grade)
Three-time winner of the Coaches’ Award

University of California at Los Angeles (1979-1983) Highlights

Graduated in 1983
Became the 1983 NCAA 1500-meter champion
Qualified for the 1980 US Olympic Trials in the 1500 meters
10,000-meter UCLA school record holder
Member of 2 national championship teams in junior and senior years

Post Collegiate Highlights

Won the 1984 Budapest (Hungry) 1500 Meter National Championship title
Won the 1984 Toronto 1500 Meter National Championship
Qualified for the 1984 US Olympic Trials in the 1500 meters
Former American 20K record holder
Placed 14th in the New York City Marathon
Placed 3rd in the Twin Cities Marathon

Feelings about being inducted

Overwhelmed, pleasantly surprised, honored, and just elated. I am so overjoyed and excited that my accomplishments are remembered and valued, even if the accomplishments were many years ago. Thank you so much. I am really looking forward to this grand event.

Current projects

In graduate school, working on a Master of Science degree in Fitness and Wellness with the goal of working in the area of senior fitness,
Working full-time as a Registered Nurse teaching homecare workers
In health ministries conducting health presentations

Personal Best Times *

Road Race
Distance	Time
5K	16:12
10K	32:58
15K	52:25
10 miles	55:11
20K	1:08:20
Half Marathon	1:13:50
25K	1:28:37
Marathon	2:37:41

Outdoor Track
Distance	Time
3K	09:14.1
10K	33:50.6

Indoor Track
Distance	Time
3K	09:10.8

* Source: Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS)

Track Personal Records

800M - 2:06
1500M - 4:14
Mile - 4:36

Marathon Statistics

First Marathon: 2007 Atlantic City Marathon - Time: 3.58.19
First Sub Three-Hour Marathon: 2020 Tidewater Striders Marathon - Time: 2.57.13
Fastest Marathon: 2020 Tidewater Striders Marathon - Time: 2.57.13
Number of Marathons Completed: 7
Number Open Marathon Wins: 2
Number of Open Marathons Places: 3
Number of Age Group Awards: 1

Hometown: Upper Montclair, NJ

Current Residence: Newport News, VA

Mount Saint Dominic Academy (Caldwell, NJ) Highlights

Graduated in 2001
Played volleyball
Four-year varsity swimmer
One year varsity track and field

Tufts University Highlights

Graduated with a BS in Economics (2005)
Collegiate high jumper walk-on
NCAA Track and Field All-American
Indoor and Outdoor 4x400m School Record

Post-Collegiate Sports Highlights

First African American Woman to qualify and turn pro in Triathlon
2021 Women’s Pacer at HOKA’s 100K World/American record attempt
2020 Athlete of the Year - Outspoken: Women in Triathlon
2019 IRONMAN World Championships Finisher
2017 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championships Finisher
5X IRONMAN 70.3 Age-Group Podium Finisher
2015 and 2016 One City Marathon Women’s Champion
2019 IRONMAN 70.3 Augusta – fastest run split (amateur women)
2018 IRONMAN 70.3 Eagleman – fastest run split (amateur women)
2017 Tidewater Sprint Triathlon Women’s Champion (5K run course record: 18:26)
2015 Dallas Marathon – 4th Female

For more information, visit www.SikaHenry.com.

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Current Residence: Charlotte, NC

Spouse/Children: Rosa Thompson McAfee/ Daughter - Andrea Covington McAfee, Reggie George McAfee

High School: Courter Tech High School, 1969

High School Academic/Sports Highlights:

Ohio State Champion in Cross Country, 1967 and 1968.
Ohio State Champion in 880 – 1:52:5 and 1 mile – 4:08.5 (Both times were state records) Fastest high school double, (880-1mile) in the US.

College/University:

Brevard College - 1971
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill - 1978
North Carolina Central University – Durham, NC – 1980
- Masters Business Administration - Finance

Collegiate Academic/Sports Highlights:

Brevard College – 1969 -1971
National Champion - Cross Country- 1970
National Champion – 1 mile run – 1971, National record
National Champion – 2 mile run – 1971
Current National Junior College Record holder – 1 mile – 4:00
Only Brevard College athlete to win (3) National Championships
University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill – 1978
ACC Champion – Indoors and Outdoors in – 1 mile
NCAA – District 3, Cross Country Champion - 1971
Current UNC Record holder – 800 m – 1:46.9
Four Time – NCAA - All -American – 1 mile (Indoors and Outdoors)
First African American break 4:00 mile – Fastest mile – 3:57.8
Ran seven (7) sub 4:00 minute miles
1972 Runner-Up, 1-mile run, Indoor Track Championship
1972 Olympic Trials Finalist-1500m, 1972
1973 Gold Medalist – 1 mile – USA vs Carribean Int’l competition
1973 Bronze Medalist, 1500m – World University Games, Moscow
Co-Captain of the USA Team

Post Collegiate Sports Highlights:

International Track Meet Toronto, Canada - 1973
1^st Place, 3,000m – (7:56.9). Defeated Lasse Viren, Finland, (Olympic Gold Medalist 1972, 1976 Olympic Games). July 21, 1973.
USA-Russia Indoor Dual Meet – Gold Medalist, 1 mile run - 1975

Coaching Highlights:

Charlotte Flight AAU Track and Field Team
Coached (4) National Champions (800m, mile, 4 x800)

Professional Career Highlights:

Xerox Corporation

Reggie McAfee worked for 26 years for Xerox Corporation in Charlotte in a variety of positions in Sales and Service Management organizations where he received the coveted Presidents Club Award on several occasions. In 1999, Reggie became the #1 Sales Specialist for Xerox Corporation in the US.

Current projects:

Cross Country for Youth - Reggie McAfee is the Executive Director and Founder of Cross Country for Youth (CCFY), a non-profit organization, 501(c) 3, corporation dedicated to the health and wellness of elementary and middle school youth. As the first African-American to run the mile in under four minutes, he was inspired to give back to the community and began CCFY. When starting in 2006, he had no idea the impact it would have on the lives of youth with cross-country running and character development.

Cross-Country for Youth (CCFY)

School based program:

Cross-Country for Youth (CCFY) is a multifaceted program that combines cross country training and competition with character, nutrition, and mental health education to promote healthy lifestyles for the prevention of childhood obesity among children aged 8-14 years. CCFY programming takes place three times a week for ten weeks. A typical day of activities begins with the character, nutrition or mental health focus of the day and an overview of cross-country principles and training.

The primary drivers for implementation are the Executive Director/ Founder (Reggie McAfee) and the Program Coord. (Alvin Jefferson). Reggie started the program 15 years ago; and he and Alvin created the program content which includes the Character and Nutrition Curriculum as well as the physical workout routines. Additionally, the program has approximately 46 coaches; approximately 70% of whom have been volunteering with the program for several years. We also partner with local colleges/universities.

Expansion:

We expanded the program to Cincinnati, Ohio in 2019 and had great success. We’re researching additional opportunities to scale the organization in other cities in the US.

Virtual Program:

The 2020 season has been like no other in our organization’s history. With the pandemic front and center in our lives and uncertainty everywhere. We made the decision to create a virtual program. We knew that our youth would need a program that provided them a safe outlet to participate in cross country training and competition. In addition, we felt that the character, nutrition, and mental health curriculum would be a great foundation.

So, each fall elementary and middle school runners anywhere in the Southeast U.S can register for our program online.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS – Cross Country for Youth

Established Partnerships – Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools-ASEP, Communities In School, Mecklenburg Park and Recreation.
First National Award – Giant Steps Award from the National Consortium of Academic and Sports.
Johnson & Johnson Childhood Obesity - 3 year grant. (2013-2016)
Poster Presenters at American Public Health Association – National Expo in Chicago, Illinois. We were selected by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Partnered with Apparo, a non-profit, which helps other non-profits with technology solutions. Which allowed us to create an evaluation tool which analyzes survey results.

Feelings/Statements about being inducted:

I am incredibly honored to be inducted into the National Black Distance Runners Hall of Fame. I fell in love with running as a young boy and my dream of becoming the First African American to run a mile under 4:00 minutes is something I worked hard to make a reality. To be included amongst the ranks of these nine trailblazers is both humbling and energizing! My goal has been to pay it forward by starting an organization, Cross Country for Youth that instills the love and passion for running in elementary and middle school youth. This recognition makes me think I’m doing something right! I look forward to living up to this honor by inspiring new runners far into the future.

Other information:

Past Chairman of the Deacon Board and Board of Directors at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church (FMBC)
Charter Member of 100 Black Men of Greater Charlotte – 20 years
Former AAU Coach – Charlotte Flight

Marathon Statistics

First Marathon: 1980 Stockholm Marathon - Time: 3:234.22.10
First Sub Three-Hour Marathon: 1982 Fiesta Bowl Marathon - Time: 2.57.14
Fastest Marathon: 1983 Sri Chinmoy Marathon - Time: 2.50.19
Number of Marathons Completed: 16
Number Open Marathon Wins: 1
Number of Open Marathons Places: 2

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Current Residence: Tucson, Arizona

Spouse: Dave Hill

High School (year graduate):

Shaker Heights High, 1969.

High School Academic/Sports Highlights:

I wasn't involved in sports of note before the age of 29, even though I played varsity volleyball a couple years in high school. My focus from a very early age involved musical studies. Early piano studies began just before the age of five at Sutphen School of Music where my mother was head of the Voice and Opera Department.

At the age of 10, I was awarded a full piano scholarship to study at the Cleveland Institute of Music having won the Arthur Loesser Scholarship. I studied under Jacqueline Marcault who assumed a personal interest in my development. She remained a benefactor and patron setting up the Centaur Foundation Grant for me before leaving Cleveland in 1964. My piano studies continued under the tutelage of Margarita Jolles, Associate Head of the Piano Department at the Cleveland Music School Settlement. I received a Certificate of Accomplishment in 1969.

College/University (year graduated):

Curtis Institute of Music, Bachelor of Music, 1974. Piano studies with Eleanor Sokoloff.
UCLA, Master of Fine Arts, 1989. Harpsichord studies with Bess Karp.
UCLA, PhD, 2001. Summa cum laude. Musicology. Raymond L. Knapp, Committee Chair.

Collegiate Academic/Sports Highlights:

UCLA: Graduate Opportunity Grant 1985-86; Mimi Alpert-Feldman Award 1986-87; Atwater Kent Award 1986-87; Cannonball Adderley Scholarship, 1986-87; Affiliates Award 1987; Fellow, UCLA/Royal College of Music Exchange Program, London, England, 1987-88; Fellow, Edwin W. Pauley, College of Letters and Science, 1990-1991; Chancellor's Merit Award, 1990

Post Collegiate Sports Highlights:

I started running at the age of 29 in 1980. It was somewhat intimidating for me, having come from a family of accomplished athletes. My father, Benjamin Tiff, was in the same high school sprint-relay team as Jesse Owens and they remained life-long friends. He was also an accomplished tennis player who was instrumental in starting a tennis program at his alma mater, Wilberforce University. My brother, Milan Tiff, was a world-class triple jumper who held US records at high-school, college and national levels. He won the triple jump at the inaugural World Cup in 1977. My sister, Margot Tiff, was a gifted tennis player who played on the professional circuit, including the US Open, Wimbledon etc. She was also part of the Cal State sprint-relay team that won the NCAA championship. I was married, at that time, (ex-husband), to Rajne Soderberg, one-time Swedish record holder in the 110m hurdles. Given this family background, I was rather embarrassed to embark on such an exercise after having sat on a piano bench daily for hours throughout most of my life. I couldn't even cover a lap of the track when I made that decision. My quest began under the cover of dark on UCLA's track. Persistence and discipline pushed my desire to run further and further without distress. That feeling of being able to run and run sparked a love for covering more and more distance. When the running effort began to feel more fluid, I undertook a systematic approach to understanding training methodologies, form, pacing, nutritional needs, shoes, etc. I devoured writings/schedules of leading figures in the distance running world. Through comparative analyses, I became self-taught in what made a good distance runner. I charted my progress in races, kept journals of mileage, etc. I was successful in making improvements in times relatively quickly: 51:15 10K, Mar 1980 down to 37:21, Oct 1982 (Mercury 10K - Los Angeles, CA); 1:45:15 half marathon in Nov 1980 to 1.23:34 half marathon, Aug 1982 (Kungsholmen Runt - Stockholm, Sweden); 4:22:10 marathon in Aug 1980 to a Boston qualifier, Jun 1981, 3:19:20 (Stockholm Marathon), and then my first sub-3hr marathon Dec 1982, 2:57:14 (Fiesta Bowl - Scottsdale, AZ). These were nice drops in time, but I had loftier thoughts. Imagine that!

I met Eino Rompannen, sculptor and running coach, after running my first sub-3-hour marathon. I had heard of his success with a number of elite distance runners. He offered to help me realize my goal of achieving the qualifying time for the first Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. I never thought it too lofty a goal, but the qualifying window presented a fast-closing time frame. I knew that my 10K and half marathon times needed to drop. Eino increased the running mileage and introduced me to a variegated regime that suited me. I worked hard. Again, my sense of discipline from my youth kicked in to rescue me when fatigue questioned the point of the exercise 🙂. I really wanted to secure the qualifying time and be the first African-American to do it. Subsequently, I did qualify. I went on to try and repeat the effort for the 1988 marathon trials. Unfortunately, I narrowly missed the mark in an attempt in 1987 Berlin Marathon. I was over in Europe as a Fellow at the Royal College of Music and had to switch my running brain back to my musical brain--I consciously made the decision to abort another attempt to breach the qualifying window once again.

I would go on to run several marathons under 3 hours until the age of 41. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon in Foster City, California would remain my personal best at 2:50:19. The half marathon best would come at Fontana Days Half Marathon in Fontana, California on the speedy downhill course at 1:15:20. My 15K of 55:40 run in the SPA-TAC Championships in Santa Barbara. I did manage to get that 10K time down to 35:20 in 1989 at the Tom Sullivan race in Los Angeles and 5K of 16:19 on a return visit to Fontana Days running festival. Master's Track and Field News gave me a No. 1 U.S. ranking (5k) in the 35-39 age group.

I came down with a bout of Graves' Disease in my early forties and it took a toll on my racing. I did, though, return to racing in my mid-forties while in residence near London, England from 1994-2002. My husband, Dave, and I moved to Tucson, Arizona at the end of 2002. I resumed racing as a fifty-year old in many of the local races. I was cited in Running Times, Mar 2008, for honorable mention in the 55-59 age group for leading U.S. Masters women runners of 2007. I'm listed on Ted Corbitt's top ten historical list of African-American women who have run the most marathons under 3 hours.

My racing days came to abrupt halt in 2007 due to irreversible nerve damage in my lower right leg, I've managed to stay fit ever since by running in place and recently by taking daily walks of about 10 miles.

Coaching Highlights:

Eino Rompannen never charged me for the immense help he offered in helping me make good strides with my running. It was a selfless gift I've never forgotten. In that same spirit, my husband and I began a running group in Tucson in 2004. The Tucson Grinders have had many participants of different abilities grace workouts orchestrated by me over the years. I've been successful in ensuring several members of the group have reached their desired goals of improvement in various distances including Boston marathon qualifiers.

Professional Career Highlights:

I've been a private piano teacher for years, although recently retired. I also volunteered my musical skills for many years with a group here in Tucson that offers free music instruction to the underserved community. It has been a fulfilling pleasure to have found this organization and been able to give back to those who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford a high level of instruction.

Current projects:

I spend most of my days doing genealogical research.

Feelings/Statements about being inducted:

It is such an honor to be recognized by the national running community and am indeed humbled by the gesture. To be in such esteemed company warms my heart and makes be very proud to have been chosen.

Marathon Statistics

First Marathon: 1993 Los Angeles Marathon - Time: 4.03.00
First Sub Three-Hour Marathon: 2014 Chicago Marathon - Time: 2.54.58
Fastest Marathon: 2019 Los Angeles Marathon - Time: 2.48.03

Number of Marathons Completed: 13
Number Open Marathon Wins: 1
Number of Open Marathons Places: 2
Number of Master Division Wins: 3
Number of Master Division Places: 3
Number of Age Group Awards: 10

Hometown: Mission Viejo, California

Current Residence: Santa Monica, California

Trabuco Hills High School Highlights

Graduated: 1989
Sports Highlights: California Interscholastic Federation Swimming Champions

University of California, Los Angeles Highlights

Graduated: 1994
Sports Highlights: UCLA Swim Team 1989 through 1991

Post Collegiate Sports Highlights

L.A. County Ocean Lifeguard (Ten years)
Member of the Team USA World Lifeguard Championships, Durban, South Africa 1996
2019 Los Angeles Marathon Women's Open Winner in 2:48:03 (Age 47)
2018 Los Angeles Marathon Women's 45 to 49 Age Group Winner in 2:55:28
2018 Surf City Marathon Women's 45 to 49 Age Group Winner in 2:57:45
2014 third place Masters Women’s Chicago Marathon in 2:54:58
2014 second place Female Overall Orange County Marathon in 3:00:03
2016 USATF Masters Half Marathon Championship: fifteen place Masters Woman Overall

Professional Career Highlights

Actress For 25 years
Over fifty National Commercials
Appeared in Amistad, Shameless, Baywatch, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, and many more)

Feelings/Statements About Being Inducted

I am overjoyed to be inducted and included with other amazing women.

Other Information

Breast Cancer Survivor!

Marathon Statistics

First Marathon: 2011 Albany Snickers Marathon - Time: 3.12.23
First Sub Three-Hour Marathon: 2011 Kiawah Island Marathon - Time: 2.55.30
Fastest Marathon: 2018 One City Marathon - Time: 2.45.19
Number of Marathons Completed: 25
Number Open Marathon Wins: 7
Number of Open Marathons Places: 19
Number of Master Division Wins: 1
Number of Master Division Places: 1
Number of Age Group Awards: 3

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Current Residence: Columbia, South Carolina

D. M. Therrell High School Highlights

Graduated in 1998
Fifth place in 3A state for 800 meters as a senior.
1997-1998 Coca Cola Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Academics and Athletic Performance

University of West Georgia Highlights

Graduated in 2004
Four-time All Gulf- South Conference for Cross-country
Placed 2nd in Gulf-South Conference in 2001 for Cross-country

Post Collegiate Sports Highlights:

Sixth fastest US-born Black female marathoner
Most sub three-hour marathons for US-born Black female marathoners
South Carolina Top 25 Female Runner of All Time (#12)
South Carolina State record holder in the 40 to 44 year old age group for 5K (17:28) and 15K (55:03)
Two-time USATF South Carolina Runner of the Year (2016 & 2017)
2020 USATF Masters South Carolina Runner of the Year
Seven-time Marathon Winner

Coaching Highlights

Has been teaching for fifteen years.
Currently a physical education teacher at St. Matthews K through 8^th grades.
Previously coached youth track (7-13) at DATE Academy for eight years.

Feelings/Statements about being inducted

I am grateful to receive this honor and I hope it inspires more Black Americans to take up distance running.

Personal Best Times *

Road Race
Distance	Time
5K	18:14
10K	38:52
Half Marathon	1:24:50
Marathon	2:49:26

* Source: Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS)

2022 National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame

Samia Akbar

Michele Bush-Cuke

Sika Henry

Reggie McAfee

Michele Tiff-Hill

Ingrid Walters

Shawanna White

Rainbow Running Club