 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! |
Marathon Woman & reviews | Kathrine's calendar | 26.2 Marathon Stories | More bio! | Video
If you would like Kathrine to sign your copy, you can catch Kathrine and her book at other events listed on the calendar, or order below.
Switzer first launched the hardcover edition of MARATHON WOMAN in April, 2007
on the occasion of her 40th Anniversary of her first running the Boston
Marathon. In April, 2008, MARATHON WOMAN won the Billie Award for journalism
for its inspiring portrayal of women in sports. Switzer first changed history
in 1967 when she joined the then all-male Boston Marathon and finished, after being attacked by the race director and nearly thrown out. She went on to run 35 marathons, won the New York City Marathon and led the drive to get the women's marathon into the Olympic Games. As a leader, athlete and woman, Switzer continues to inspire people everywhere. She tells her story in MARATHON WOMAN.
MARATHON WOMAN review by Cool Running Kathrine Switzer's Schedule for 2009:
|
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":
 |
| 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. |