Kathrine Switzer

Kathrine Switzer (January 5th, 1947 – present) is one of the most well known marathon runner’s of the 21st century. Her legendary race in the 1967 Boston Marathon would forever change the history of running for women. This pivotal moment inspired her to promote social change, write books and speak globally. Today, she continues to empower women around the world.

Kathrine’s Early Years

Kathrine Switzer was born in Amberg, Germany to a Major in the US Army. As a kid growing up in the states, she enjoyed athletics. This love of sports prompted her to join the field hockey team in High School. With encouragement from her father, she began running a mile every day to make the team. While she enjoyed field hockey and basketball, her love for running was growing strong.

At Lynchburg college, Kathrine ran 3 miles a day and continued to participate in sports. She was even asked to run on the men’s track team. The team was welcoming and she enjoyed competitive running at Lynchburg. However, Kathrine decided to transfer schools and went Syracuse University to study Journalism. The special program this school offered would help her reach her goal of being a sports writer. While here, she wanted to continue running so she asked to join the men’s cross country team. Kathrine was informed that, officially, the NCAA didn’t allow women to join the team. Nevertheless, she was allowed to train with the boys and welcomed by everyone.

It was at Syracuse she met her future trainer, Arnie Briggs. He was a well known runner who had participated in the Boston Marathon 15 times. This inspired Kathrine to want to run the Boston Marathon too so she asked for his help. Initially, he did not think a woman could run the distance required – women were too “fragile.” But, if she could prove the distance in practice, he’d help her get to Boston.

The Boston Marathon, 1967

When it came time to register, they double checked the rule book which made no mention of gender being an issue for participation. Having paid the entrance fee, registered with her AAU number and acquired a certificate of fitness, she signed her entrance form K.V. Switzer. Fortunately, race officials assumed “K.V. Switzer” was a man. It wasn’t until a few miles into the race did they realize a woman (the only woman) was running in the Marathon. The race co-director, Jock Semple, ran into the crowd, cursing Kathrine and attempted to remove her from the race. Semple and Arnie exchanged angry words when Arnie attempted to defend her. The attack on Kathrine stopped when Semple was taken out by her boyfriend, Tom Miller. As scary and humiliating as the disruption was, Kathrine made history as the first registered woman to complete the Boston Marathon.

The celebration was fulfilling but short lived as the AAU banned women from competing in all races with men. It wasn’t until 1971, several years later, that the AAU allowed its sanctioned marathons female entry.

Kathrine’s Legacy

Kathrine’s actions in the 1967 Boston Marathon was a win for women everywhere. She went on to run in many more marathon’s and races around the globe, even taking first place in the New York City Marathon in 1974. The following year, in 1975, she ran the Boston Marathon in 2:51, a personal best! This time made her the 6th fastest in the world, 3rd in the US.

Her life’s work came about with an opportunity in 1977 to create the Avon International Running Circuit. This was a worldwide series of women’s races that continued until 1984.

In 1984, Kathrine was a commentator for the Los Angeles Olympic women’s marathon. Then, she released her first book in 1997. By the 40th anniversary of her first ever Boston Marathon, a memoir, Marathon Woman, was released. As a result of her efforts, she promoted social change, empowered other women and created running opportunities in other parts of the world. For this, Kathrine was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011.

In 2015, Kathrine established Fearless 261, a non-profit aimed at empowering women to overcome life’s obstacles through running. They offer an ambassador program, training, embrace healthy living and host events.

Kathrine, now in her 70’s, is still running and inspiring women around the world through her activism. Some of her greatest accomplishments, honors and awards include:

First registered woman to run the Boston Marathon
Won first place in the 1974 New York City Marathon
Received an Emmy Award for her commentating at the 1984 Olympic women’s marathon
Female Runner of the Decade (1967-77) by Runner’s World Magazine
Inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, 2011
Bib number 261 officially retired from the Boston Maratho
Named one o the Visionaries of the Century, 2000