Joan Nesbit

Joan Nesbit was a distance runner who competed in the 10K at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Nesbit ran in college at the University of North Carolina, where she finished fourth in the 10K at the NCAAs. After college her career prospered, winning the prestigious Falmouth Road Race in 1984 shortly after graduation. Nesbit never won a US title on the track but was second in the 3,000 in 1988, third in the 10K in 1996, and third in the steeple in 1999. She was US cross-country champion in 1995.

Nesbit later earned a masters’ degree in American literature. She also coached the men’s and women’s cross-country runners at her alma mater, and then became the head track and cross-country coach at Chapel Hill High School. She also continued to compete in masters’ competition, and broke the world record for the mile in the 40-45 age group.

Personal Best: 10000 – 32:13.78 (1996).