By Lauren HollandUpdated November 2026
The first female marathon winner in the modern Olympic-era sense was Stamata Revithi, a Greek woman who finished the 1897 race in Athens, though her result was never officially recognized at the time. Understanding her story means understanding how the marathon was organized, who was allowed to enter, and how long it took women to earn a place on the start line. This guide walks through the history, the barriers women faced, and the milestones that led to the women’s marathon as it exists today.
Who Was the First Female Marathon Winner?
Most historians credit Stamata Revithi as the first woman to complete the marathon distance in an organized race. She ran the course from Marathon to Athens in 1897, the year after the first modern Olympic marathon, and reached the stadium after the men had already finished. Organizers did not allow her to enter the official event, so she ran the route on her own and was not recognized as a competitor. Her time is generally given as around four and a half hours, though accounts vary in the details.
Shopping for one? See our guide: 10 Best Gifts for First Marathon Runners: Expert Picks for Every Need.
Her result matters because it shows that women were covering the distance long before the sport admitted them. It also explains why the question “who was the first female marathon winner” is tricky to answer. Depending on whether you count unofficial runs, sanctioned races, or the first event with a women’s category, you get different names and dates.
Why the Answer Depends on How You Define “Winner”
Early women’s results come from a handful of sources, many of them newspaper reports. Before the 1960s, most women who ran marathons did so without any sanctioned entry. Here are the main ways historians define the milestone:
- First woman to complete the distance: Stamata Revithi, 1897, unofficial.
- First woman to finish an official race: Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb ran the 1966 Boston Marathon without a bib, hiding in bushes near the start before joining the course.
- First woman officially entered and registered: Kathrine Switzer ran the 1967 Boston Marathon with a race number, and was physically confronted by an official during the race.
- First women’s Olympic marathon: Joan Benoit won the inaugural women’s Olympic marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Why Women Were Excluded for So Long
The early marathon was built around a set of assumptions about women’s bodies and roles. Officials argued that the distance was too strenuous for women, and medical opinion of the era often reflected the same view. Race rules simply did not include women, so there was no path for them to compete legally.
Across the 1960s and 1970s, a combination of individual runners and changing social attitudes began to push the sport open. Some race directors allowed women to run unofficially. Others created separate events. The fight was as much about access to the course as it was about athletic ability.
Key Barriers Women Faced
- Written rules that limited entry to men, or left women’s participation undefined.
- No official timing, so results were not recorded in race archives.
- No prize money, sponsorship, or coaching structure aimed at women.
- Assumptions that women could not tolerate the distance, which shaped public perception.
How the Women’s Marathon Became Official
The path from unofficial runs to a recognized race moved in stages. Each step relied on runners, race organizers, and sports bodies making separate decisions.
Step 1: Unofficial Participation
Women ran marathon distances in the early twentieth century, often in events that did not restrict who could enter. These efforts were rarely recorded in official tables. They still built the case that women could complete the distance, and newspaper coverage of some runs helped spread the idea.
Step 2: Gaining Official Entry
Gibb’s 1966 Boston run and Switzer’s 1967 registered entry were pivotal. Switzer’s race number and the photographs of her being pushed off the course drew wide attention. Within a few years, many events began to accept women officially, and some hosted separate women’s divisions.
Step 3: Establishing Standardized Racing
Once women were admitted, governing bodies had to decide how to time, rank, and record their results. Most major races now list men’s and women’s divisions separately, and they publish overall results that include all finishers. Olympic inclusion in 1984 gave the women’s marathon a global platform and a standard event format.
What the History Means for Runners Today
The women’s marathon now has its own records, champions, and training research. Women’s elite times have improved steadily, and the depth of the field has grown. Recreational women runners also benefit from a race calendar that serves them directly, with women’s divisions, dedicated coverage, and training resources.
If you are preparing for your first marathon, the historical context can be useful. Understanding how far the sport has come makes it clearer why the current rules, timing systems, and division structures exist. For a practical starting point, see Marathon Training for Beginners to get a sense of the weekly work involved before you choose a race.
Common Mistakes When Researching This Topic
Readers and writers often trip over the same issues when discussing the first female marathon winner. Keep these in mind:
- Mixing up “first” and “first official”. Revithi and Gibb both completed the distance before women were formally entered in major races.
- Relying on a single source. Many early results come from newspaper accounts, so check for corroboration.
- Ignoring the difference between a completed run and a won race. Revithi finished; she did not win an officially contested event.
- Treating the Olympic women’s marathon as the starting point. It was a major milestone but came nearly a century after the first documented run.
Tips for Learning More
- Read contemporary newspaper archives when they are available, and note the date and publication for each claim.
- Look at race records from events such as Boston and London, which document women’s divisions in detail.
- Compare how different historians define “first,” and state your definition clearly.
- Connect the history to your own running by reviewing Marathon Race Strategy: Starting Corral, Pacing, Aid Stations and the Finish to see how race structure shapes the day.
FAQ
Who was the first female marathon winner?
Stamata Revithi of Greece is generally credited with being the first woman to complete the marathon distance in 1897, though her run was unofficial. Officially recognized winners came much later, once women were allowed to enter sanctioned races.
Did Stamata Revithi win an official race?
No. She ran the route from Marathon to Athens without official entry, so she was not part of the competition. Her result is recognized as a historical milestone rather than a race victory.
Who was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon?
Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb is widely cited as the first woman to finish the Boston Marathon, in 1966. She ran without an official bib. Kathrine Switzer ran with a number in 1967.
When did women first compete in the Olympic marathon?
The women’s Olympic marathon was first held at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, where Joan Benoit won the gold medal.
Why were women not allowed to run marathons for so long?
Race rules and prevailing medical and social beliefs excluded women, who were often thought to be unable to handle the distance. Changes came gradually as women ran unofficially and then pushed for formal entry.
Is the first female marathon winner the same as the first female Olympic champion?
No. These are separate milestones. The first female marathon completion came in 1897, while the first Olympic women’s marathon was held in 1984.
Where can I find historical marathon results for women?
Race organizers often publish historical results on their websites, and national athletics federations keep records. Contemporary newspaper archives are useful for early, unofficial runs.
Conclusion
The first female marathon winner is best understood as a series of firsts: Stamata Revithi’s unofficial completion in 1897, the first women to run registered races in the 1960s, and the first Olympic women’s marathon in 1984. Each step reflects a decision by runners and organizers to challenge the rules of their time. Knowing this history helps explain the women’s division you race in today.
Related reading
Ready to choose one?
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.
