1st woman to officially run Boston Marathon to do it again, 50 years later

[demmiblue]

Source: CNN



(CNN)A 20-year-old Syracuse University journalism student made history in 1967 by becoming the first woman to officially enter the Boston Marathon.

Now, 50 years later, Kathrine Switzer will return to the Boston Marathon starting line wearing the same number an official tried to rip off her clothing in the 1967 race.

The incident was captured in an iconic photo that turned Switzer into a role model and launched her career as an advocate for women's equality in sports. Now 70, with 39 marathons under her belt, it will be her first time running the Boston race since 1976 and her first marathon since 2011.

Switzer has said she did not intend to break barriers by entering the race. After all, another woman, Roberta Bingay Gibb, had completed the Boston Marathon the year before without a bib.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/17/us/boston-marathon-kathrine-switzer-trnd/index.html?sr=twCNN041717boston-marathon-kathrine-switzer-trnd1130AMStoryLink&linkId=36573991

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[sarge43]

1. Living well is the best revenge.

Have a great run, Ms Switzer.

[Hoyt]

2. Cool. I'd like to hear those men interviewed 50 years later to see if they still feel that way.

Same for those in iconic photos of people yelling at young Black kids integrating schools, lunch counters, etc.

[Hortensis]

4. Yes. Best guess, they accept women marathon runners

graciously and are outraged that Hillary isn't in prison.

[Hoyt]

5. LOL!

[lostnfound]

6. Race director who tried to rip off the number reconciled with her -- more to the story

http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/who-was-that-guy-who-attacked-kathrine-switzer-50-years-ago

According to this, "the race was his life", he assumed she wasn't serious, but was enthusiastic about admitting female athletes to the Marathon not long after.



Jock Semple, who made peace with having women as official entrants in his race, poses with Kathrine Switzer before the 1973 Boston Marathon. BETTMANN/GETTY IMAGES

[demmiblue]

7. Thanks, I was just about to post this.

The picture in the OP kind of makes it look like all of the men were after her!

This one, from Runner's World, is a better depiction:



From left: At the 1967 Boston Marathon, Jock Semple chases Kathrine Switzer (261) while her boyfriend, Tom Miller (390), looks on. Miller shoves Semple out of the way so Switzer can continue running. Boston Herald

[JudyM]

9. ...and if there hadn't been a boyfriend... ?

[demmiblue]

11. Who knows, maybe he rips off her number and she keeps on going to complete the race...

in four hours flat.

She was/is one tough woman!

[obamanut2012]

14. She had all her other friends there blocking her

[VWolf]

3. And yet she persisted.

Brave woman. Respect.

[AllaN01Bear]

8. you go girl

[sheshe2]

10. I am heading out shortly to watch!

Hope to see Switzer run by...this is awesome! #261!

[Bayard]

13. Switzer was such an inspiration

A lot of women took up running after that episode, helping to explode running everywhere.

I was able to be there for Boston back when my ex was running it. You need to have a previous qualifying time to even enter the race now. Wonder if that was the case back in Switzer's day?

My running days are long over--too many injuries, both running and otherwise--but I still really miss it. And being in that kind of shape!

[Jimbo S]

17. Qualifying standards

began in 1970.

http://216.235.243.43/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/qualifying/history-of-qualifying-standards.aspx

[sheshe2]

15. She passed right in front of me today!

She had a sign on her back saying she was an injured runner.

So cool to watch her pass.

[demmiblue]

16. Interesting factoid that I didn't know...

the Boston Marathon retired her bib number. Cool beans!


Boston Marathon retires Bib No. 261 in honor of Kathrine Switzer

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-marathon/2017/04/13/boston-marathon-retires-bib-no-261-in-honor-of-kathrine-switzer

(also, a shout-out to Bobbi Gibb )

[Jimbo S]

18. I was in Boston ten years ago when her book came out.

Wasn't aware until yesterday the 261 was considered iconic.