The Boston Marathon is one of oldest and most prestigious races in the world. But from its inception in 1897 to 1972, women were not permitted to race due to barbaric and downright ludicrous medical theories on what a woman’s body could handle.

However, those rules did not stop a few brave women who dared to race anyway, breaking the mould and showing race organisers and the world that women can run.

These women’s names are Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Gibbs, who unofficially raced in 1966, Katherine Switzer, who officially raced in 1967, and Nina Kuscsik, who was the inaugural winner of the 1972 Women’s category.

Lace up your shoes, meet us at the start line, and if you’re wearing an Uncle Sam outfit make sure you steer clear of Jock as we unpack the stories of these pioneers and their impact on Marathon running.

Sources:

https://web.archive.org/web/20150508010414/http://www.distancerunning.com/inductees/1999/kuscsik.html

https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a61808909/best-womens-marathon-moments/

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/sports/nina-kuscsik-dead.html

https://kathrineswitzer.com/2017/04/marathon-struggle-of-runner-who-changed-athletics/ (picture of Kathrine)

https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/66615089

https://www.aausports.org/

https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/history/

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/01/18/sports/will-cloney-91-dies-put-boston-marathon-on-the-map.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1896_Summer_Olympics

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1090581/olympics-number-athletes-by-gender-since-1896/?srsltid=AfmBOorm4_gM4P74wCS1SrnR-dpDQg6SyynIPAo7y2DCQc6InIu5rJZD

Presenters:

James Whybrow

Ben Whybrow

Carlin Sheaves

Music and cover art:

Zoe Behrendt