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Syracuse University Athletics

Katherine Switzer Boston Marathon
Photo by: Associated Press

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Switzer's Historic Run

4/17/2017 9:30:00 AM | Track and Field

Fifty years ago today Kathrine Switzer '68 G'72 made her way to the starting line at the Boston Marathon wearing bib #261 and a gray hooded sweatshirt, much like every runner in the event. The difference was she was the only female in the event. As the first woman ever to be officially registered for the race, Switzer was poised to make history. However, when she was recognized as a young woman, an angered marathon official, Jock Semple, tried to remove her from the race, claiming women were not allowed to participate.

"I don't think a day passes when I really don't thank Jock Semple for attacking me in the race," Switzer told ESPN's Julie Foudy in an interview to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic marathon. "He not only angered me and fiightened me, but he inspired me."

Switzer finished the marathon, creating international headlines and making a major statement for women in sport. Since her history-making run, Switzer has devoted her life to creating more opportunities for women, including creating the 261 Fearless, a non-profit with the goal of empowering women around the world through the sport of running.
 
Switzer went on to win the 1974 New York City Marathon and became Runner's World magazine's 'Runner of the Decade' in 1976. In the late 1970s, She created and developed the Avon International Running Circuit, directing races in more than 20 countries for more than one million female participants. She also led the campaign to convince the International Olympic Committee to include the Women's Marathon in the 1984 Games.
 
She has served on the Board of Trustees for the Women's Sports Foundation and as Special Advisor to the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In addition, she has served as a television analyst for ABC and other networks covering the Olympic Games, national championships, and major American marathons.

"I think the biggest turning point in women's sports in terms of this incident was the photograph," Switzer explained to Foudy. "All these years later it is one of the most galvanizing photographs in the women's rights movement because it moved from running immediately into the social context."
 
In 2011, Switzer was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and was a member of the inaugural class of the Distance Running Hall of Fame in 1998.
 
Today, Switzer will again compete in the Boston Marathon, wearing bib #261, which will become the second bib ever retired by the Boston Athletic Association. By her side through the streets of Boston will be 120 members of 261 Fearless Inc., a global non-profit organization dedicated to building a community of women runners Switzer founded, as she celebrates the 50th anniversary of her historic run.
 
ESPN profiled Switzer in the days leading up to her 50th anniversary run.

Syracuse University Athletics congratulates and thanks Katherine for her leadership in the advancement of women in sports.