Photo above by Espen Solli: New York Road Runners president and CEO Mary Wittenberg and Grete Waitz hold this year's ING New York City Marathon medal in Oslo, Norway

On Wednesday, Mary Wittenberg hosted a luncheon in Oslo, Norway, at the historic Bislett Stadium to honor and salute Grete Waitz, marking the 30th anniversary of the first of her nine New York City Marathon crowns.

Prior to the luncheon, Wittenberg joined Grete and her husband, Jack, in meeting with the Mayor of Oslo, Fabian Stang, in his private office, which overlooks the harbor and serves as the start and finish for the approximately 7,000 runners who will compete in the Oslo Marathon this Sunday.

A full house of national journalists, friends and family-- including Waitz's two brothers, Arild and Jan--were in the room at the stadium, where a life-sized statue of Grete stands out in front of the main entrance.

When Wittenberg presented Grete with the finisher medal for this year's ING New York City Marathon, which features a likeness of Grete on the front and the inscription, "Grete Waitz, the Greatest New York City Marathon Champion" on the back, she was truly touched by the gesture.

"There are a few in sports who have been game changers, and Grete changed the sport," Wittenberg said. "She might have been slight in size, but she was huge in stature. There have been 52 winners of the New York City Marathon, all of them great and deserving winners, but Grete is a champion of champions. Years after she has put away her racing shoes, Grete is the gift that keeps on giving to all of us now."

"On celebrating 30 years since my first victory, I am very happy that you have done this in my hometown with all of my friends and family," Waitz said. "Looking back at that first win, it seems like it was just last week."

Photo below by Espen Solli: 9-time New York City Marathon female champion Grete Waitz with this year's finisher medal bearing her likeness.

Grete Waitz won her first New York City Marathon title in 1978 at age 25 in 2:32:30. She also won the women's race in 1979 (2:27:33), 1980 (2:25:42), 1982 (2:27:14), 1983 (2:27:00), 1984 (2:29:30), 1985 (2:28:34), 1986 (2:28:06), and 1988 (2:28:07).

Learn more about the ING New York City Marathon