Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The first woman to run a marathon in an official, recognized race was Kathrine Switzer, who ran the 1967 Boston Marathon while registered under her initials, K.V. Switzer. Women had run marathon distances before that day, but Switzer was the first to complete the race as a numbered entrant in a sanctioned event. Her run became a turning point for women’s distance running.

Why Kathrine Switzer Is Recognized as the First

The Boston Marathon in 1967 did not officially allow women to enter. Race rules, which were common across long-distance events of that era, restricted official entries to men. Switzer registered using her initials so the organizers would not immediately identify her as a woman. She received bib number 261, and she started the race alongside male runners.

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Partway through the course, a race official, Jock Semple, tried to pull her off the course. Her boyfriend and fellow runners, including members of her men’s team, pushed back and kept her moving. She finished the race in a little over four hours. Photographs of the moment were widely published and became some of the most recognized images in the history of women’s sport.

Earlier Women Who Ran Long Distances

Several women covered marathon distance before 1967, but usually without official entry or with times that were not recognized. Some ran unofficially, and others completed courses outside sanctioned races. Historians often note Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb, who ran the Boston Marathon unofficially in 1966 without a bib, and Kathrine Switzer’s 1967 run is generally credited as the first officially entered and completed women’s marathon in a major sanctioned race. The distinction matters because it separates informal achievements from the first race that was formally recognized.

If you want to read more about the wider history, see First Woman to Run in Boston Marathon: Who Was She and When? for a closer look at the Boston context. A related read: Four Week 5K Training Plan: Run Your First 5K in 28 Days.

Factors That Shaped the Story

Several factors explain why this moment took so long and why it mattered so much:

  • Official rules. Most marathons did not allow women to register. Changing rules required organizers to act, and many did not.
  • Medical and cultural beliefs. For decades, people claimed women could not safely run 26.2 miles. These claims had little scientific basis, but they shaped race policy.
  • Timing data. Without official entry, women’s results were often excluded from records, which made it harder to prove what they could do.
  • Media attention. Coverage of Switzer’s run pushed the issue into public view and encouraged other women to enter.

Women were not admitted to the Olympic marathon until 1984, when Joan Benoit Samuelson won the first women’s Olympic marathon. That event is covered in First Women's Olympic Marathon: When It Happened and Who Won.

What It Means for Runners Today

Today, women compete in marathons worldwide, and most major races have equal entry policies. The history is useful for runners who want to understand the sport’s development and to see how entry rules have changed. If you are preparing for your own first marathon, a structured plan matters more than any single historical milestone. How to Run Your First Half Marathon: Steps, Training and Race-Day Tips covers the basics of building up gradually, which applies to full marathon training too.

Practical Steps for Learning More

  1. Confirm the source. Check whether a claim refers to official, sanctioned entry or to an unofficial completed run.
  2. Read contemporary race accounts and photo archives from 1967 for firsthand details.
  3. Compare official race records with later retrospective accounts, which sometimes differ in small details such as finish times.
  4. Look at race organization histories for the years when women gained formal entry in other major marathons.
  5. If you are researching for a school project or article, cite the specific year, race, and bib entry rather than general summaries.

Did women run marathons before 1967?

Yes, some women ran marathon distance before 1967, but usually unofficially or outside sanctioned races. Their results were often not recorded in official standings.

Why was Kathrine Switzer’s run significant?

She was a numbered entrant in a recognized race, and she finished despite an attempt to remove her from the course. Her run drew wide attention to women’s exclusion from marathons.

When were women first allowed in the Boston Marathon officially?

Women were allowed to enter officially starting in 1972, after the rules changed following years of pressure and Switzer’s 1967 run.

Who was the first woman to win the Olympic marathon?

Joan Benoit Samuelson won the first women’s Olympic marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

Can women run a marathon safely?

Yes. Women train and compete in marathons at all levels. A physician can help you plan training and check fitness before starting a program.

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Lauren Holland

About Lauren Holland

Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our marathon & half-marathon guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.