Syracuse Sun

Kathrine Switzer, an alumna of Syracuse University, made history as the first woman to officially run and finish the Boston Marathon in 1967. Her entry into the marathon was under the name K.V. Switzer, using bib number 261. During the race, she faced a challenge from race director Jock Semple, who attempted to remove her bib around mile four. Switzer's boyfriend at the time, Tom Miller, intervened, allowing her to continue running.

Switzer reflects on this experience as pivotal in her advocacy for women in sports. "As I was running," she recalls, "I realized that if these women had the opportunity, just the opportunity, that’s all they needed." This realization led her to strive for change within sporting events and opportunities for women.

Following her participation in more than 40 marathons and a victory at the New York City Marathon in 1974, Switzer played a key role in including the women's marathon in the Summer Olympics. She founded 261 Fearless, named after her Boston Marathon bib number, which aims to empower women through running clubs and educational programs worldwide.

Switzer shares insights on how running has influenced her life: "Running has given me just about everything... this empowerment and belief in myself that I can do whatever I set out to accomplish."

Her nonprofit organization continues to support women globally by promoting running as a means of empowerment. "We need to do it at the grassroots level," she explains. The initiative has reached nearly 7,000 women across multiple countries.

The conversation with Kathrine Switzer is featured on episode 172 of the "'Cuse Conversations" podcast.