The first woman to complete the Boston Marathon as a registered runner.
In 1967, Kathy Switzer became the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon as a registered runner.
The year prior, another woman finished the race, but she ran without an official number. So Switzer became determined to enter and complete the Boston Marathon, despite pushback from her coach, boyfriend, and others.
She entered the race using just her initials and received mostly positive comments from other male runners. But once marathon officials realized a woman was participating, they found her on the course and tried to rip her race bib off her shirt.
She continued on and ultimately finished the race with her coach by her side.
It wouldn’t be until 1972 that women were officially permitted to enter the Boston Marathon.
