Welcome to the "Info" page, here you will learn all about Katherine Switzer and her experience with the Boston Marathon.
Background Information.
Katherine Switzer was born on January 5th, 1947, within Amberg Germany. Switzer moved to the United States at a young age, and began a joy for running while attending Lynch Elementary School. This elementary school in which she attended, was located in Fairfax County, and she later went on to go to "George C. Marshall High School". It was at this school where she began to seriously enjoy long distance racing, and at a much more rigorous level than her peers. Katherine Switzer got into Syracuse University, where she started to pursue her love for running, running 10 miles daily. After secretly joining the Syracuse Boys Track and Field team, she met 50 year old Arnie, the mailman of the school, and someone who had been training with the team for years.
Running History
It was at Syracuse University where Switzer found out about the Boston Marathon, she knew she had what it takes to run in the marathon, no matter the fact she would be the first woman to do so. She informs Arnie about her goal, to which he says " "If any woman could do it, you could" (Switzer 2007). Arnie had become her coach, and on the day of the Boston Marathon, he slept over at her house to ensure he could make her a hearty breakfast for fuel for the race. With nerves flowing, Switzer walks outside to see the weather is the worst it's been all year, sleet pours down on her, wind threatens to sweep her away, but she doesn't lose the confidence she's worked so hard to deserve.
The Boston Marathon
After arriving at the starting point of the Boston Marathon, she pins her number on her shirt, and as the marathon begins, many double takes are sent in her direction, and catcalls are aggressively shot at her. Switzer continues to keep a steady pace, trying to stay lowkey running beside Arnie. Suddenly she hears the sound of heavy leather shoes behind her, she looks back and sees a huge man chasing her, trying to grab her. He catches up to her and is trying to rip off her number, but one of Switzer's peers body slams the man, who turns out to be the race official. Switzer just keeps going, explaining to the news sources that she is not trying to "prove" anything, but just runs. She finishes the race in 4 hours and 20 minutes, claiming the title of the first women to run in the Boston Marathon, and any marathon for that matter.