Franziska Rochat-Moser
Best known for her surprise victory in the 1997 NYC Marathon (2:28:43) when she overtook Tegla Loroupe in the 21st mile to bring in the win despite leg cramps, Rochat-Moser also placed second in the Boston Marathon (PR 2:25:51) in 1999. She competed in the Olympics twice, 1992 at Barcelona and 1996 at Atlanta. The swiss native was the most successful marathoner in Swiss history. She was the first ever (and remains the only) Swiss winner of the New York City Marathon. More of Moser’s top running accomplishments include first place in the 1994 Frankfurt Marathon, first place at the 1997 Interlaken Marathon, second place at the 1997 Vienna City Marathon, and eighth at the Athens World Championships. Rochat-Moser had retired from competitive running last year after a hip operation. A lawyer by training, she gave up her law career when she married renowned chef, Phillipe Rochat, so she could help him run their prestigious gourmet restaurant, Girardet located in her hometown of Cressier, Switzerland.