Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The first woman to complete the Boston Marathon was Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb, who finished the race in 1966 without an official bib. She ran the course alone, hidden in the bushes near the start before joining the field, and she crossed the finish line in about three hours and 21 minutes. Her run came before women were officially allowed to enter, which is why her place in history is still debated and carefully explained.

Why Bobbi Gibb’s Finish Was Unofficial

In 1966, the Boston Athletic Association did not permit women to register for the race. Gibb had trained seriously and wanted to test herself over the full distance, so she decided to run without entering. She hid near the start line, then emerged once the male runners were moving, and she ran the course in the same way any competitor would. Race officials did not recognize her finish, and she received no official bib, timing chip, or result on the books at the time.

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Her achievement was documented by photographs and by witnesses along the route, which is why she is widely credited as the first woman to complete the course. Many histories also note that Gibb ran with a sense of purpose that went beyond her own finish time. Her run helped push the sport to reconsider who was allowed to compete.

Factors That Shaped the Record

Several factors make this question tricky to answer cleanly. Official results are the usual standard for “first” claims, and in 1966 there were no official female finishers at all. Gibb’s run was real but unregistered, so race records from that era do not list her. Timing also varies across accounts, since unofficial finishes were not logged by the timing system used for entrants.

In 1967, Kathrine Switzer entered the race using only her initials, K.V. Switzer, and finished while officials tried to remove her from the course. Her run is often cited as the first officially recorded women’s entry, which is why many readers see her name alongside Gibb’s. If you want the full context, the related articles on this site cover both runners and the rules of that period in more detail.

How to Read the Record Accurately

When you see a claim about the first woman to finish, check three things: whether the runner was registered, whether the finish was timed officially, and whether the source is a race archive or a later retelling. Race archives and the Boston Athletic Association’s historical materials are the most reliable starting points. Personal accounts and interviews are valuable but should be checked against documented sources.

  • Confirm whether the claim refers to an official or unofficial finish.
  • Look for photographs, witness accounts, or archived race results.
  • Note the year, since rules for women changed significantly in the late 1960s.
  • Compare at least two reputable sources before repeating a “first” claim.

FAQ

Who was the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon?

Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb is widely credited as the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon, finishing unofficially in 1966.

Did Bobbi Gibb get an official result?

No. Women were not permitted to register at the time, so her finish was not recorded in official race results.

Who was the first woman to officially run Boston?

Kathrine Switzer is generally recognized as the first woman to run Boston with an official entry, in 1967, though she used her initials on her application.

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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.