Kathrine Switzer: the first woman to officially run a marathon

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer made sports history by becoming the first woman to officially run a marathon. In an era when endurance sports were still a men’s domain, she registered for the Boston Marathon using her initials “KV Switzer” to avoid discrimination. The American runner defied conventions and prohibitions to open the path for future generations of women athletes.

| A woman against the odds

While women’s participation in sports, particularly running, has become common by 2025, it wasn’t always so. In 1967, when Kathrine Switzer started at the Boston Marathon, she wasn’t following the rules. At that time, women were not allowed to run a marathon. During the 1960s, some doctors claimed endurance sports were too demanding for women. They believed women lacked the necessary endurance and that rigorous training could even cause their uterus to fall, make them infertile, or alter their appearance by making them more masculine. Therefore, most long-distance races were mainly reserved for men. In the Olympic Games, distances over 800 meters did not exist for women.

A year earlier, Bobbi Gibb made headlines. She hid in a bush before joining the Boston Marathon pack to race. Although she completed the marathon, Bobbi Gibb was unable to officially register for the marathon. Nonetheless, she paved the way for women, including Kathrine, who after hearing the news decided to attempt to register for the Boston Marathon.

| Kathrine Switzer forever the first

At just 20 years old, Kathrine Switzer obtained her race number for the 1967 Boston Marathon by only using her initials during the registration process. She had carefully read the race rules, which did not explicitly state that women couldn’t participate. However, since 1961, the Amateur Athletic Union, which governed sports in the United States at the time, prohibited women from road racing. Organizers who allowed women to run faced sanctions.

Wearing bib number 261, Kathrine Switzer arrived at the starting line with lipstick on. As the daughter of an American soldier, she had spent months training for the Boston Marathon, often running with a group of boys from her university. After 2 kilometers, journalists spotted her. The lead vehicle carrying photographers and journalists left the front of the race to reach Switzer’s group, bib 261. Jock Semple, the race director, was furious that a woman was racing (and this time with an official bib) and tried to stop her. Surrounded by her coach and her boyfriend, a hammer thrower who pushed Semple away, Kathrine Switzer continued her marathon.

After more than 4 hours of effort (4h20), the American crossed the finish line. Her time was modest compared to her personal best of 2h51 set in 1975. But the real achievement lay elsewhere. By crossing the finish line, she became a symbol of women’s emancipation. Subsequently, Kathy was disqualified and suspended by the AAU.

| A milestone that altered the course of women’s sports

Following her historic feat in 1967, Kathrine Switzer became a true pioneer. She blazed the trail for women in endurance events and sports more broadly. This event revolutionized the history of women’s sports.

Inspired by her achievement, Kathrine Switzer decided to organize women-exclusive race events worldwide. Women’s sports experienced a significant boost. In 1972, the Boston Marathon opened its doors to all. Two years later, Kathy won the New York Marathon. Women’s sports gained further recognition thanks to her efforts, notably in 1986 at the Los Angeles Olympics, where the women’s marathon was recognized as an official event. The first Olympic women’s marathon title was claimed by American Joan Benoit.

By 2024, over 50 years after her incredible feat, Kathrine Switzer, then 77 years old, was at the starting line of the 10 km “Marathon for All” at the Paris Olympics. It was a strong symbol from the woman who had opened marathon doors for women worldwide. More than just a sports performance, her dedication paved the way for future generations of sportswomen and has helped to change perceptions about the role of women in sports.