Doris Brown Heritage

Biography Born Doris Elaine Severtson, she attended Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Washington. As a young girl, she would go on long runs on the beach near her family's home whenever she had free time. As she grew so too did her love for running. After graduating from high school Brown attended Seattle Pacific University from 1960 to 1964 where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1964 and a master's degree in 1971.

Her career as a distance runner was off to a shaky start since she was a woman looking to be a competitor in a sport where women and longer events were still somewhat of a taboo. She was even barred from using the track while she was in Peninsula High School. So she ended up joining a local running club and set a national record in the 440-yard dash. Later she began preparing for the 800 meters, at the time longest event for women then on the Olympic program. She finished third at the 1960 Trials, but didn't qualify for the Rome Olympics. After she was accepted into Seattle Pacific University she began to run with the men's team but was not able to compete in the 1964 Olympics because of a broken foot. At one point in her career she held every women's national record from 440 yards up through one mile. Brown is perhaps best remembered for her five victories in the International Cross Country Championships (1967–1971), and she also represented the United States at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games. In 1976, Brown won the Vancouver International Marathon and placed second in the New York City Marathon.

Brown returned to her alma mater and coached track and cross country at Seattle Pacific University for four decades. She was a women's assistant coach for the national teams at the 1984 Summer Olympics and 1987 World Championships.

Achievements 1968 Olympics: 800 m (5th) World Record: 3,000 m – 9:26.90 July 7, 1971