A woman’s place in the running world was drastically different 50 years ago than it is today. And that was true at the Boston Marathon as well, where a young Kathrine Switzer wasn’t allowed to run because she was a woman, but ran anyway and became an icon of women’s running ever since. Well, 50 years later, Kathrine Switzer is still rewriting Boston Marathon history, this time by simply running it! Kathrine Switzer Still Rewriting Boston Marathon History 8 Years Later
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The power of a smile
The history of Kathrine Switzer’s 1968 Boston Marathon has become legendary. At a time when women were not allowed to compete, she registered as K.V. Switzer and joined a group of male runners. Although race officials tried to kick her out, she persevered and finished with an unofficial time of 4 hours, 20 minutes—nearly four minutes faster than any other woman in history. Kathrine Switzer Still Rewriting Boston Marathon History 8 Years Later
Running has made me successful, says Switzer
NEW YORK — The date was Nov. 1, 1967, when Kathrine Switzer became an accidental pioneer in marathon running: She finished that race in Boston as an official entrant and as a woman. But her claim to fame was being heckled by race director Jock Semple who tried to drag her off course before she crossed the finish line.
Running + Feminism = Success
Kathrine Switzer, a pioneer of women’s running and one of its most inspiring figures, has made history once again as part of an elite group that shattered another barrier in endurance sports. At 71 years old, she became one of a select few to complete eight consecutive Boston Marathons.
Seeking an Olympic record as a second career
For many people, running a marathon isn’t a once-in-lifetime event but something to be done often. Kathrine Switzer is one of those people. Fifty years after she ran in and finished what was then an all-male race, at age 70 she’s still competing and looking to set an Olympic record as a second career.
‘I’m all in for you.’ Coach gives wife confidence to chase marathon dreams
In 1966, former Framingham State University cross-country coach Bill Squires’ wife wanted to be a marathoner. She couldn’t do it alone. Read more at MetroWest Daily News.
- Born: 5 January 1947 (age 75 years), Amberg, Germany
- Alma mater: Syracuse University
- Education: George C. Marshall High School
- Spouse: Roger Robinson (m. 1987), Tom Miller (m. 1968–1973)
- Parents: Homer Switzer, Virginia Switzer
An All-American cheerleader with an eye on the finish line
In 1967, women were finally allowed to compete in marathons. Kathrine Switzer heard about it and saw an opportunity to challenge a time-honored rule: no women. Before that year’s Boston Marathon, Switzer ran with men as practice so she could have an idea of what time she needed to achieve in order to qualify for her first-ever marathon.
High school sweethearts who met at Bowdoin run together into new phase of life
A new chapter of life brought together Kathrine Switzer and her high school sweetheart, David Strang. It was their shared love of running that cemented their relationship 50 years ago, and even now – as they enter what are commonly referred to as the golden years – they continue to run together every day.
Why was Kathrine Switzer stopped from running?
Women were not allowed to compete in marathons; rules stated that anyone who registered would be disqualified. At that time, women had little recognition as athletes in their own right. Women were seen more as pacemakers rather than competitors, and they often registered under assumed names so race officials would not remove them from competition.
What impact did Kathrine Switzer have on society?
In 1967, when Kathrine Switzer ran under her initials as K.V. Switzer, she was more than just a pioneer of women’s distance running; she was seen as a threat to public safety and could have been arrested for her efforts. Fifty years later, we continue to witness society-wide change thanks to Ms. Switzer’s actions in 1967—women now make up 47 percent of marathon finishers and race director Dave McGillivray has repeatedly thanked her for giving him his job.
Does Kathrine Switzer still run?
50 years after her run at Boston, Kathrine Switzer is back in Hopkinton and doing what she does best — shattering race records. I’m still running, still competing in races, said Kathrine Switzer. Her most recent race was a 15-kilometer (9.3 miles) relay on Sunday with five other women from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake. They finished first in their division.
Who took the photo of Kathrine Switzer?
Bob Seagren, who worked as a photo editor for Sports Illustrated. After getting married, Seagren and his wife moved to Palo Alto, California where he had started to work at Stanford University’s athletic department. In 2007, he became a volunteer mentor at his old high school. Today he works there in online communications and is also an assistant coach of cross country and track & field teams.
How old was Kathrine Switzer in the Boston Marathon?
The now 70-year-old Kathrine Switzer was a 20-year-old junior at Syracuse University in 1967. She wasn’t old enough to race, but she registered using her initials, K.V., and slipped into the women’s division of one of running’s most hallowed events. Four miles in, marathon officials tried to throw her out for being an unofficial entrant.
Kathrine switzer marathon
kathrine switzer was a 20-year-old college student when she entered her first marathon: she ran at harvard and came in fourth. 50 years later, she’s still rewriting boston marathon history.