Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The first woman to win the Boston Marathon was Ellen Gunn? No, that is not correct, so let us be precise: the first woman to win the Boston Marathon as an official, recognized winner was Ellen Gunn’s contemporary, and the answer depends on how you count. Women were not officially permitted to enter the race until 1972, when the Boston Athletic Association opened its entry to them. The first official female winner was Nina Kuscsik, who crossed the line in 1972 in a time of 3:10:26.

Why the Answer Takes Some Explaining

Before 1972, women ran the course unofficially. Roberta “Bobbi” Gibb ran it in 1966 without a bib, and Kathrine Switzer ran in 1967 with her number, which was a notable moment for women’s distance running. Neither was an official entrant, so neither is recognized in the official winners’ list. That is why searches for the first woman to win the Boston Marathon often lead to confusing results. Official records and unofficial history point to different names.

Shopping for one? See our guide: First Woman to Win Ultra Marathon: 7 Books on Their Story.

Nina Kuscsik’s 1972 win is the record most race archives use as the first official women’s title. The Boston Athletic Association’s results list treats that year as the start of women’s competition in the race.

Factors That Shape the Record

  • Official entry rules. Women were barred from official entry until 1972, so official winners and unofficial finishers are tracked separately.
  • Bib and timing records. Early women runners often had no official bib or timing chip, which makes historical times harder to verify.
  • Course conditions. The Boston course is point-to-point with a net downhill start and a hilly finish, so winning times vary a lot by weather and wind.
  • Race categories. Some results lists separate open and masters categories, which can affect how a “first woman” is identified.

How to Verify the Answer for Yourself

If you are writing a report, citing the answer, or settling a debate with a running partner, check primary sources rather than relying on a single summary.

  1. Start with the Boston Athletic Association’s official results archive for the 1972 race.
  2. Compare that against historical race coverage from the year, which often notes first finishers by gender.
  3. Note the difference between “first official female winner” and “first woman to run the course.” These are different claims.
  4. When you cite the record, state the year and whether you mean official or unofficial results.

For more context on the early history, see First Woman to Run Boston Marathon 1966: Who Was She and What Happened? and Who Was the First Female Boston Marathon Runner? History and Facts. For the origins of the race itself, When Was the First Boston Marathon? The 1897 Race Explained covers the 1897 start.

What We’d Use

A printed race history or a reliable marathon history book makes a useful reference for tracking early results. Look for titles that cover the Boston race archives in detail.

  • A marathon history book covering women’s early racing: View on Amazon
  • A running reference guide with race results archives: View on Amazon

FAQ

Who was the first official woman to win the Boston Marathon?

Nina Kuscsik won the 1972 race, the first year women were allowed to enter officially. Her time was 3:10:26.

Did any women run Boston before 1972?

Yes. Bobbi Gibb ran unofficially in 1966, and Kathrine Switzer ran with a bib in 1967, but neither was an official entrant.

Why do some sources name a different first woman?

Sources often differ on whether they count unofficial early runners or only official winners. Check whether the claim refers to the first woman to finish or the first official winner.

Ready to choose one?

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.