By Lauren HollandUpdated November 2026
The first woman runner in Boston Marathon history was Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb, who ran the race unofficially in 1966 without a bib. She hid in the bushes near the start, then joined the course once the field was underway. Women were not officially allowed to enter until 1972, so Gibb’s finish was never recognized in the official results.
Why Gibb Had to Run Without a Number
In the 1960s, the Boston Athletic Association limited the race to men. Race officials and many competitors believed women could not safely complete 26.2 miles, and the rules reflected that belief. Gibb had already run long distances on her own, so she decided to attempt the course anyway. Because she had no entry, she had no way to start with the field.
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She waited out of sight near the start line, then slipped into the race once the runners had moved off. Her time that day was recorded as 3 hours, 21 minutes, 40 seconds by her own account and by later reporting, which would have been a respectable finish for the era. Her run drew press attention, but it did not change the rules right away.
Factors That Shaped Women’s Access to the Race
Several factors determined when women could legally run:
- Written entry rules. The race was open only to men until the BAA changed its policy for the 1972 race.
- Medical and cultural beliefs. Many people in the period argued that long-distance running was harmful to women, and those views influenced the rules.
- Timekeeping and official results. Because Gibb never had a bib, her finish was not entered into the official record, even though it is widely documented.
- Organized women’s running. The late 1960s and early 1970s saw more women compete in long races, which put pressure on the BAA to open the event.
How to Research the Record Accurately
If you are writing about this history or citing it, sources can differ on small details, so it helps to check more than one.
- Start with the Boston Athletic Association’s own race history pages.
- Compare accounts of Gibb’s 1966 run in contemporary newspapers and later interviews.
- Note the distinction between “first woman to run” (unofficial, 1966) and “first woman to finish officially” (1972).
- Verify race year and times against archived results before publishing.
For a broader look at how the story fits into women’s running history, see Who Was the First Female Boston Marathon Runner? History and Facts and First Woman to Run Boston Marathon 1966: Who Was She and What Happened?.
Why the 1972 Change Mattered
When the BAA opened the race to women in 1972, the change allowed women to enter with official bibs and receive recognized times. Kathrine Switzer had already made headlines in 1967 when she ran the Boston race with a registration number, and her story is often told alongside Gibb’s. Readers interested in that parallel may find Who Was the First Woman to Run a Marathon? Kathrine Switzer's 1967 Race useful for context.
FAQ
Who was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon?
Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb ran the race unofficially in 1966 without a bib.
Was Bobbi Gibb’s time officially recorded?
No. Because she had no official entry, her finish is not part of the BAA’s official results.
When were women first allowed to officially enter Boston?
The BAA opened the race to women with official entries starting in 1972.
Related reading
- First Woman to Run in Boston Marathon: Who Was She and When?
- Boston Marathon First Woman: Who Was She and When?
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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.
