The Start of The Women’s Running Revolution

Then: Hopkington, Mass., April 19, 1967 -Who says Chivalry is dead? – A girl listed as “K. Switzer of Syracuse” found herself about to be thrown out of normally all-male Boston Marathon today when a husky companion Thomas Miller of Syracuse threw a block that tossed the race official out of the running instead. The sequence shows Jock Semple, the official, moving in to intercept Miss Switzer then being bounced himself by Miller.

Photos by Harry Trask of BostonTraveler.

Now: The “Boston Incident” of 1967 was the spark that ignited the woman’s running revolution. Kathrine Switzer went on to finish that 1967 Boston Marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes, despite being disqualified by Jock Semple. She was inspired by the incident, however, to go on to run 35 marathons, including 8 Boston Marathons, running a personal best in 1975 in 2 hours 51 minutes, & winning the 1974 New York City Marathon. She also created the Avon International Running Circuit, a global series of women’s running events in 25 countries, involving over one million women, & lead to the inclusion of the women’s marathon in the Olympic Games.

Any use of this photo whatsoever must be credited to AP/Wideworld Photo

To learn more about this amazing women please visit her web site:
www.katherineswitzer.com

tafbutton blue16 The Start of The Womens Running Revolution