1. Svetlana Zakharova – a longdistance runner.

2. Factfile.
Full name: Svetlana Zakharova
Born: 15th September, 1970
Birth place: Ichesner – Ataevo, Chuvashia, Russia
Education: Chuvash State Prdogochical Institue, 1993
Occupation: An officer of Regional Center for Civil Defense and Emergencies
in Chuvashia
Sport: a winner and a prize winner of Russian, European and World
Championship, seven-times prize winner of World Marathon Majors.
Favourites:
Dish – shchi (cabbage soup)
Drink: peach juice
Colour – blue
Celebration – birthday
Season – Indian summer
Hobby: Chuvash embroidery

3. Born and raised in a small village Svetlana first began running not to be
late for school which was 5km far from her village. School races showed
that she had a natural talent for running. She took part in local
competitions. At the age of 15 Svetlana ran her first All-Union race and
became two-times prize winner. She was invited to study at a special
school for young athletes in Cheboksary. It was very difficult as she had
to study school subjects and spend long hours training for competitions.
More than once she was ready to give up and go back to her village. It
was Svetlana’s elder sister Albina who made her change her mind.

4. You could hardly believe that this petite woman is a long-distance runner.
Year
Competition
1997
1998
Honolulu Marathon
Los Angeles Marathon
1998
Venue
Position
Representing Russia
Honolulu, Hawaii
1st
Los Angeles, USA
5th
World Half Marathon Championships Switzerland
Uster,
Los Angeles, USA
Berlin, Germany
Event
Notes
Marathon
Marathon
2:33:14
13th
Half marathon
2nd
3rd
Marathon
Marathon
2:27:08
1999
Los Angeles Marathon
Berlin Marathon
2000
London Marathon
London, United Kingdom
10th
Marathon
2:28:11
London Marathon
London, United Kingdom
2nd
Marathon
2:24:04
Edmonton, Canada
3rd
Marathon
2:26:18
New York City, USA
3rd
Marathon
2:25:13
Honolulu Marathon
Honolulu, Hawaii
2nd
Marathon
2:30:37
World Half Marathon Championships
Brussels, Belgium
2002
World Championships
New York City Marathon
2001
12th
Half marathon
1:09:48 PB
4th
Marathon
2:21:31
1st
Marathon
2:29:08
Honolulu Marathon
Chicago,
United States
Honolulu, Hawaii
World Championships
Paris, France
9th
Marathon
Boston Marathon
1st
Marathon
1st
Marathon
9th
Marathon
Chicago Marathon
2004
Olympic Games
Boston, United States
Chicago,
United States
Athens, Greece
2007
Frankfurt Marathon
Frankfurt, Germany
2nd
Marathon
2008
Olympic Games
Beijing, PR China
22nd
Marathon
2:32:16
World Championships
Berlin, Germany
15th
Marathon
2:29:55
2003
Chicago Marathon
2009

5. It isn’t an easy task to combine sport and
a full-time job. Svetlana copes with all her
duties perfectly. As an officer of Regional
Center for Civil Defense and Emergencies in
Chuvashia she often meets with school
students. She teachers them fire safety.
Students always ask her a lot of questions
about marathons.
And what is more she is involved in
public work. She takes part in different
contests and helps disabled children.
Nevertheless she finds time for her passion
Chuvash embroidery which is very
complicated.
If you ask Svetlana what the most
difficult thing to do is she would say “To say
good-bye to my seven year old daughter when
I have to leave for competitions.”

6. Did you know?
Marathon distance
is 42.195km long.
Every week Svetlana runs 240km.
Svetlana is an honorary citizen of
Honolulu.

7. Did you know?
Marathon distance
is 42.195km long.
Every week Svetlana runs 240km.
Svetlana is an honorary citizen of
Honolulu.