Maria Manuela Machado was tireless in her pursuit of championship titles for Portugal. From 1990 until 2000, she participated in every major championship competition, from the 1990 European Championships in Split to the 2000 Olympics Games in Sydney.

Manuela did not just compete in championship marathons, she did so with distinction. Her medal collection at the marathon event included a Gold Medal from the 1995 IAAF World Championships, Gold Medals from the 1994 and 1998 European Championships, and Silver Medals in the 1993 and 1997 World Championships. She was also seventh in the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, and seventh in the 1991 and 1999 World Championships. An incredible championship career!

Away from the pressure of championship competition, Manuela also excelled, taking second in the London ('95), New York ('95) and Tokyo ('96) Marathons, adding a third in London ('99) and two fourths in Boston ('93 & '98).

Perhaps the most loved female marathoner of her decade, Manuela has retired from international competition but still runs for health, and started and sponsored her own youth track team, the Cyclones.

1991 World Championships Marathon, Seventh

1992 Boston Marathon, Fourth (2:27:42)

1992 Olympic Marathon, Seventh

1993 Boston Marathon, Fourth

1993 World Championships Marathon, Silver Medalist

1993 Lisbon Marathon, Champion

1994 Nagoya International Women's Marathon, Seventh

1994 European Championships Marathon, Gold Medalist

1994 Great North Run Half Marathon, Third

1995 London Marathon, Second (2:27:53)

1995 World Marathon Championships Gold Medalist

1995 Great North Run Half Marathon, Third

1995 New York City Marathon, Second

1996 Olympic Games Marathon, Seventh

1996 Tokyo Women's Marathon, Second (2:29:32)

1997 IAAF World Marathon Championships, Second

1998 Tokyo City Half Marathon Champion, PR

1998 Boston Marathon, Fourth (2:29:13)

1998 European Championships Marathon Gold Medalist (2:27:10)

1998 Great North Run Half Marathon, Second

1999 London Marathon, Third (2:25:09) PR

2000 London Marathon, Ninth (2:26:41)

2000 Olympic Women's Marathon, 21st (2:32:29)

2000 Discoveries Lisbon Marathon, Second