13 Facts About Silvana Cruciata

Silvana Cruciata was born on 15 February 1953 and is a former Italian middle- and long-distance runner.

Silvana Cruciata represented Italy at the 1976 Montreal Olympics and shared medals with the Italian women's teams at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Silvana Cruciata began her career as a cross country runner and was part of the silver medal-winning team in the long race at the 1974 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, alongside race winner Paola Pigni and Margherita Gargano.

Silvana Cruciata won a second team silver at the 1976 IAAF World Cross Country Championships with a team of Gabriella Dorio, and Cristina Tomasini.

Silvana Cruciata came 29th at the 1981 IAAF World Cross Country Championships, but this finish was enough to help the Italian women to the team bronze.

Silvana Cruciata's hour run record was a long-standing achievement and the mark went unbeaten until 1998 when Kenyan Tegla Loroupe broke the record.

Silvana Cruciata's performance remains the best ever by a European, as well as being the Italian national record.

Silvana Cruciata ran a career best of 4:24.6 minutes for the mile at the DN Galan that year and this remains the stadium record for the event.

Silvana Cruciata focused on road running events in her later career.

Silvana Cruciata took three straight victories at the Stramilano Half Marathon from 1976 to 1978, and took a fourth win in 1981.

Silvana Cruciata had her first wins over the marathon at the Monza Marathon in 1976 and 1977, but her career best came in 1980 at the San Silvestro Marathon in Rome, where her time of 2:44:31 was a course record.

Silvana Cruciata had a consecutive victory at the Tre Comuni in 1982 and won the Rome-Ostia competition for a second time in 1984.

Silvana Cruciata won five national championships at individual senior level.