Jacqueline Gareau (born March 10, 1953) is a Canadian runner who won the Boston Marathon on April 21, 1980. Gareau led the women's field for most of the race, only to find another runner, Rosie Ruiz, wearing the traditional victor's laurels when she crossed the finish line. Ruiz was later disqualified after it was determined she had cheated and did not run the entire race. Gareau was awarded the victory in a special ceremony one week later. Her official time for the 1980 marathon, 2:34:28, was the fastest time recorded for a woman in the event's history at the time.
Gareau met Ruiz two years after the marathon as she prepared to run a 10K race in Miami, Florida. The encounter was brief and Ruiz refused (as she continued to do until her death) to concede that she did not win the 1980 marathon.
Gareau served as the Grand Marshal of the 2005 Boston Marathon and was allowed to "break the tape" in a special ceremony. She married her former coach, Montréal banker Gilles Lapierre. She has a son, Yannick Lapierre, who participates in Nordic skiing.
Achievements Representing 1978Marathon de l'Ile d'Orléans Île d'Orléans, Quebec, Canada 1stMarathon2:59:151979National Capital Marathon Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 1stMarathon2:47:581979 Marathon International de Montréal (élite) Montreal, Quebec, Canada 1stMarathon2:40:561979New York City Marathon New York City, United States 3rdMarathon2:39:061980Boston Marathon Boston, United States 1stMarathon2:34:28Tokyo Marathon Tokyo, Japan 2ndMarathon2:30:581981Boston Marathon Boston, United States5thMarathon2:31:27 1982Boston Marathon Boston, United States 2ndMarathon2:36:101983Boston Marathon Boston, United States 2ndMarathon2:29:281983World Championships Helsinki, Finland5thMarathon2:32:351983America's Marathon Chicago, United States 2ndMarathon2:31:361984L.A. International Marathon Los Angeles, United States 1stMarathon2:31:571984Olympic Games Los Angeles, United States—MarathonDNF1987Marathon international de Montréal Montreal, Canada 1stMarathon2:32:511988London Marathon London, England6thMarathon2:36:04 1988Grandma's Marathon Duluth, United States 1stMarathon2:43:27
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