Kiwi long-distance runner Allison Roe broke the New York City marathon record in 1981. Forty years ago, in 1981, running was booming. Race numbers exploded, huge new marathons and fun-runs transformed cities as big as New York, London, and Sydney, shoes and apparel for running had become an instant industry, media and sponsors brought crowds and cash, and potent new names hit the headlines – Frank Shorter, Grete Waitz, Alberto Salazar, Nike, New Balance, Asics. It all seemed miraculous. And nothing was more miraculous than the sudden emergence, at the Boston Marathon on 20 April, 1981, of an unknown yet wondrous talent – Allison Roe from New Zealand.