 Kathrine Switzer will always be best known as the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event. Her entry created an uproar and worldwide notoriety when a race official tried to forcibly remove her from the competition.
Three decades later, the incident continues to capture the public imagination and is, in part, the reason Switzer has dedicated her multi-faceted career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women. That career has included creating programs in 27 countries for over 1 million women that led to the inclusion of the women's marathon as an official event in the Olympic Games, changing forever the face of sports, health and opportunities for women around the world. The "Boston Incident" also inspired Kathrine to become a good athlete: She has run 35 marathons, won the 1974 New York City Marathon, and ran her personal best of 2:51.33 by finishing 2nd in the 1975 Boston Marathon. At the time, this was the 6th best women's marathon time in the world, and 3rd in the U.S.A. More bio! |
(April 16, 2008) Marathon Woman Wins the Billies Award for Journalism!
(February 1, 2008) MARATHON WOMAN: On the Road Again
MARATHON WOMAN review by Cool Running Kathrine Switzer's Schedule for Remainder of 2007 and 2008:
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From the November 2006 issue of Runner's World Magazine: "Kathrine Switzer is included as one of the 40 Most Influential People and Moments in Running of the Past Four Decades." (NOTE: the May 2007 issue of Runner's World featured an eight-page excerpt of her just-released book, MARATHON WOMAN. In 2002, the magazine named her as one of running's "Four Visionaries of the 20th Century").
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Kathrine Switzer (right) appeared on the Today Show August 31,2007. The Today Show was gearing up for the ING New York City Marathon. Kathrine (far right) gave running tips to host Natalie Morales (far left) and guest runner Karen Gorrell both of whom ran the ING-NYC Marathon on Nov.5. Kathrine served as an expert commentator (her 20th year!) for the NBC-TV broadcast of the race. "26.2 Marathon Stories", the 2nd book that she has authored, was also featured. The background of the Today Show set is a huge photo of the dramatic start of the marathon6n the Verrazan6-Narr6ws Br5dge, overlooking New York City. For an extract of Kathrine's appearance and tips on how you can start running. |
"26.2: Marathon Stories" by Kathrine Switzer and Roger Robinson was named by Runners World Magazine in 2006 as one of the 'best five running books ever.' Now published globally, it made its USA launch at the Boston Marathon in April, 2006. The USA and UK editions are published by Rodale Press. The launch at the Toronto Marathon (Oct.13-15 ) featured a special commemorative edition for that race, published by Madison Press Books. The German edition, "Faszination Marathon" launched in Berlin in September 2006 (Sudwest Verlag publishers) and the New Zealand-Australian edition is published by Allen & Unwin. It is receiving great reviews everywhere! 
Subsequently, careers as a fitness expert, TV broadcaster, writer and public speaker were launched simultaneously, and Kathrine formed her own company, AtAlanta Sports Promotions, Inc. to accommodate her work in many capacities: she is an expert sports marketing and events consultant, creating, promoting and publicizing events that have changed the world or simply enliven an occasion; she also works as a product or company spokesperson, as a TV commentator on running events, as a women's fitness and running authority, as a popular and dynamic public speaker on various subjects, and also as an author (Running and Walking for Women Over 40, St. Martin's press). Please see the "Business" section of this website to find more specifics of her capabilities and availability.
Kathrine Switzer is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, a few of which are listed in the following abbreviated "Life Highlights." What inspires her the most, however, is her continuous involvement in the creation and publicity of events that give women and girls an opportunity in fitness and health, and in the education of the public to the enormous value of the fitness experience for everyone. That, and of course, her husband and her daily run!
Photos from the "Boston Incident":
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| Then: Hopkinton, 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 block that tossed race official out of the running instead. Sequence shows Jock Semple, official, moving in to intercept Miss Switzer then being bounced himself by Miller. Photos by Harry Trask of Boston Traveler. |
| 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. |