Who won the first women’s London Marathon in 1981?

Joyce Smith won the first women’s London Marathon in 1981.

The inaugural London Marathon took place on March 29, 1981, and finished near Buckingham Palace. Smith, a British runner, won the women’s race in 2:29:57. American Dick Beardsley and Britain’s Inge Simonsen shared the men’s victory after crossing the finish line together.

Smith was an experienced distance runner who had already represented Great Britain internationally. Her victory helped establish the London event as a major race for both elite athletes and mass participation.

Grete Waitz, Rosa Mota, and Joan Benoit were also outstanding marathon champions, but none won the inaugural women’s London Marathon. The race later became one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors.