Kathrine Switzer facts for kids
Switzer at the 2011 Berlin Marathon expo
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 5, 1947 Amberg, Germany |
| Education | George C. Marshall High School |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
| Occupation | Runner, author |
| Spouse(s) |
Tom Miller
(m. 1968; div. 1973)Philip Schaub
(divorced)Roger Robinson
(m. 1987) |
Kathrine Virginia Switzer (born January 5, 1947) is an American marathon runner, writer, and TV commentator. She is famous for being a pioneer for women in sports.
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. During her race, a race official tried to stop her. He even tried to rip off her race number! But Switzer kept going and finished the race.
Because of her brave run, the AAU (a sports organization) banned women from competing in races with men. However, Switzer and others fought for change. Finally, in 1972, the Boston Marathon created an official race just for women.
Contents
Kathrine Switzer's Early Life and Running Journey
Kathrine Switzer was born in Amberg, Germany, in 1947. Her father was in the United States Army. Her family moved back to the United States in 1949. She went to George C. Marshall High School and later studied journalism at Syracuse University.
Training for the Boston Marathon
At Syracuse University, Switzer wanted to train with the men's cross-country running team. Her coach, Arnie Briggs, agreed to train her. He thought a marathon was too long for a woman. But he told her, "If any woman could do it, you could." He promised to take her to Boston if she could run the full distance in practice.
By early 1967, Switzer was training hard for the Boston Marathon. She ran long distances, sometimes 20 miles, to get ready.
The Historic 1967 Boston Marathon
The rules for the Boston Marathon did not say anything about gender. However, the AAU, which oversaw the race, said women could not run in races longer than 1.5 miles.
Another woman, Bobbi Gibb, had run the Boston Marathon unofficially in 1966. She finished ahead of many men. But she was not an official participant.
Kathrine Switzer decided she would run as an official competitor. She signed up using her initials, 'K.V. Switzer'. She later said she always signed her name that way. She also had a male runner pick up her race number, 261.
On race day, Switzer felt very welcome. She ran with her coach, Arnie Briggs, and her boyfriend, Tom Miller. She wore a hooded sweatshirt.
The Attack on the Course
A few miles into the race, Switzer's hood slipped off. It became clear that a woman was officially running the Boston Marathon.
Suddenly, race co-director Jock Semple jumped off a press truck. He ran towards Switzer. Semple was a strict traditionalist. He thought the marathon was "sacred" and only for serious male runners. He often got angry at people he thought were not serious.
Semple ran at Switzer and tried to rip off her race number. Switzer later wrote about the moment:
Instinctively I jerked my head around quickly and looked square into the most vicious face I'd ever seen. A big man, a huge man, with bared teeth was set to pounce, and before I could react he grabbed my shoulder and flung me back, screaming, "Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers!"
Semple's attack knocked off one of Switzer's gloves. But her race number stayed on. When her coach, Arnie Briggs, tried to protect her, Semple knocked him down. Then, Switzer's boyfriend, Tom Miller, pushed Semple to the ground.
Switzer finished the marathon in about 4 hours and 20 minutes. Photos of Semple's attack made headlines around the world. This moment became a symbol for women's rights.
Changing the Rules
After Switzer finished the race, the AAU changed its rules. It banned women from all races with men. If a woman broke this rule, she could not compete in any race.
But Switzer and other female runners kept fighting. They wanted the Boston Athletic Association to allow women in the marathon. Finally, in 1972, the Boston Marathon started an official women's race.
Switzer knew how important it was to finish the race. She said:
I knew if I quit, nobody would ever believe that women had the capability to run 26-plus miles. If I quit, everybody would say it was a publicity stunt. If I quit, it would set women's sports back, way back, instead of forward. If I quit, I'd never run Boston. If I quit, Jock Semple and all those like him would win. My fear and humiliation turned to anger.
Later, Switzer and Jock Semple became friends. She realized he was just trying to protect the race. She even thanked him for attacking her. She said it gave her the idea to create more running chances for women.
Kathrine Switzer's Achievements and Legacy
Switzer continued her running career. She won the 1974 New York City Marathon. Her fastest marathon time was 2:51:37 in Boston in 1975.
Runner's World Magazine named her the Female Runner of the Decade (1967–77). She also became a television commentator for marathons. She even won an Emmy Award for her work.
Switzer has written books about running. Her memoir, Marathon Woman, came out in 2007. It won an award for its portrayal of women in sports.
In 2011, Switzer was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. This was for helping to create a social revolution. She empowered women around the world through running.
In 2015, Switzer started a non-profit group called 261 Fearless. This group uses running to help women overcome challenges. It also helps them live healthier lives.
In 2017, Switzer ran the Boston Marathon again. It was her ninth time running the race. It was also 50 years after her first historic run. She wore her original bib number, 261. She finished in 4:44:31. She ran with a team from 261 Fearless. This time, over 13,700 women ran the race. That's almost half of all the runners!
The Boston Athletic Association announced that bib number 261 will never be used again. This is to honor Kathrine Switzer.
Personal Life
In 1968, Kathrine Switzer married Tom Miller. He was the man who stopped Jock Semple's attack in 1967. They later divorced. Switzer then married Roger Robinson in 1987. He is also a runner and writer.
Switzer and Jock Semple became good friends before he passed away in 1988. He eventually changed his mind about women in sports.
Achievements
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the  United States |
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| 1974 | New York City Marathon | New York, United States | 1st | 3:07:29 |
| 1975 | Boston Marathon | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | 2nd | 2:51:37 |
See also
In Spanish: Kathrine Switzer para niños
