A graduate of Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, she was one of the most accomplished runners of her time.  During her three-decade career, she won 21 national titles and set 36 American records and 12 world records.  She was nationally ranked in every running event, from the 800-meters to the marathon.  She was a member of five U.S. Olympic teams; first in 1972 when she ran the 1,500-meters and finally in 1992 when she ran the marathon.  At the 1992 Olympics, she carried the U.S. flag during the Opening Ceremonies.

A runner of great versatility, Larrieu-Smith was inducted in the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.