Arnie told her that women were incapable of running 26.2 miles.

Switzer suggested that she and Arnie run the Boston Marathon together.

Arnie had run the Boston Marathon fifteen times, and Switzer credits him with teaching her about running. Switzer and Arnie began running six to ten miles nightly. Arnie worked out with the team daily, after he finished his shift, and later became the unofficial manager of the team. During this time, she met Arnie Briggs, postman for the university. While she was not allowed to run officially, she was welcome to work out with the team. At age 19, while Switzer was attending Syracuse University for her bachelor of arts degree in journalism and English, she asked the men’s cross-country coach if she could run on the team, considering there was no women’s team. Participating in the Boston Marathon is no small feat today, but in 1967, running as a woman was an even greater challenge. 26.2 MilesĪt age 20, Switzer ran the Boston Marathon. For Switzer, running was “magical” at age twelve, and it is still magical after fifty-three years. That daily mile helped her to realise that running built her endurance and would make her better at sports. As part of the game, she needed to “learn to run, and to run well.” Her father measured the yard, and Switzer began running a mile day she made the team because of her conditioning. He encouraged her to try out for field hockey. While we know it is not enough, we bow low and say 'thank you' to Kathrine for paving the way for so many.At age 12, Switzer thought she wanted to be a cheerleader her father told her that cheerleaders spectate, and that she wanted to participate. Kathrine has been leading change for women in sport for decades, and it was an honor for us to chat with her. With Boston postponed this year until September, we hope this interview, rich in history from Boston, will tide you over until then. Kara and Shanna lead this interview and get to it all. Jock would not succeed, but the iconic photo of him trying would create an indelible image that would change the future of women in sport forever.įrom that day forward Kathrine became a catalyst for change, leading the way for women to be able to officially race in the NYC and Boston Marathons as well as the Olympics, all while continuing to compete and win races herself. During the race, she was attacked by race official Jock Semple who tried to pull her off the course. On April 19th, 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially finish the Boston Marathon in a time of 4 hours and 20 minutes.

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