Kathrine Switzer Biography
Kathrine Switzer is an American marathon runner. Also, she is an author and television commentator. Mainly, people know her as the first woman to participate in the Boston Marathon as a numbered entrant. It was in 1972 then that women were allowed to run the Boston Marathon.
Kathrine Switzer Age and Nationality
Kathrine Switzer was born on January 5, 1947, in Amberg, Germany. Her father was a major in the United States Army.
Kathrine Switzer Jock Semple
While in the Boston Run, Jock Semple tried to stop Switzer. Also, he tried to grab her official bib but was shoved to the ground by Thomas Miller, who was by then Switzer’s boyfriend. Despite all this, she still completed the race.
Kathrine Switzer Marriage
Switzer was married to Tom Miller in 1968. He was an ex-ALL American football player weighing 235 pounds. Also, he was ranked nationally as a hammer thrower. The couple divorced in 1973. Kathrine moved on to marry Philip Schaub and divorced. Schaub is a public relations executive As of now, she is married to Roger Robinson in 1987. Robinson is a British runner and author.
Kathrine Switzer Education
After being born, the family moved to the United States in 1949. Kathrine attended George C. Marshall High School in Fairfax County. Then, Switzer attended Lynchburg College. Later on, Switzer transferred to Syracuse University in 1967 before graduating. In Syracuse University she studied journalism and English Literature earning a bachelor’s degree in 1968. In 1972, Switzer earned a master’s degree in 1972.
Kathrine Switzer Boston Marathon- 1967.
Despite her coach saying that marathon was too far for a fragile woman to run, Switzer did training. Her entry number was 261 with Syracuse Harriers athletic club. Switzer completed with an approximate of 4 hours and 20 minutes. She was the second woman after Bobbi Gibb who ran unregistered. Her registry read under the gender-neutral “K. V. Switzer”. The K. V. was a standard sing in for her in the university. Also, her other reason for using the initials was that her name on the birth certificate was misspelled.
After the sagger with Jock Semple, the Boston Athletic Association director, Will Cloney was asked on his opinion of Switzer competing in the race. He commented to say that women have no space in the marathon. Rules specific don’t allow unauthorized persons (including men). As we quote him,” If that girl were to be my daughter, I would spank her”.
The Amateur Athletic Union(AAU) barred women from all competitions with male runners. Altogether with violators not to compete in the races. Switzer and other women came in to convince the Boston Athletic Association to allow women participation in the marathon. In 1972 was when the women were allowed to officially run the Boston Marathon(first time).
Switzer said that:
‘I knew if I quit, nobody would ever believe that women had the capability to run 26-plus miles. If I quit, everybody would say it was a publicity stunt. I quit, it would set women’s sports back, way back, instead of forward. If I quit, I’d never run Boston. I quit, Jock Semple and all those like him would win. My fear and humiliation turned to anger’
Kathrine Switzer Boston Marathon 2017
In 1975, Kathrine was finished 2 hours 51 minutes 37 seconds at the Boston Marathon. This was her best finish play.
Kathrine ran the Boston Marathon in 2017 with her first bib number 261. Switzer had a gender-neutral “Switzer, Kathrine V.” This was the 50th anniversary of her historic marathon. Kathrine finished in 4 hours 44 minutes and 31 seconds. The Boston Athletic Association announced in 2017. They said not to give the 261 bib number to any future runners. This was an honor for her. This was also her ninth Boston Marathon.
Kathrine Switzer New York City Marathon
In 1974, Switzer was a participant in the New York City Marathon. She completed as the women’s winner with 3 hours 7 minutes and 29 seconds. Kathrine was 59th overall in position. In 2017, Switzer ran the New York City Marathon. She completed 4 hours 44 minutes 31 seconds. This marked the first time she had run since 1974 to finish with so much time taken.
In total, she completed 40 marathons. Switzer is also a TV commentator and has covered the Olympics, World and National Championships and many of the major marathons, including 37 consecutive commentaries of the Boston Marathon
Kathrine Switzer Books
After racing, Switzer took the time to write. Her first book was Running and Walking for Women Over 40. This was in 1997. In April 2007, Kathrine released a memoir, Marathon Woman. This was on her 40th anniversary in the Boston marathon. ‘Marathon Woman won the Billie Award for journalism and inspiring portrayal of women in sports.
Also, she does write quotes that are contained in her books. Or sometimes she just shares them randomly.
Kathrine Switzer 261 Fearless
Switzer founded a non-profit global club. The club entails an ambassador program, training system, and events. It uses running as a means to empower women. Kathrine sees this as a chance to empower women to overcome life obstacles. Also, to embrace healthy living.
Kathrine Switzer Honors
In 1967-1977, Switzer was named the Female Runner of the Decade. This was by the Runner’s World Magazine. Also, she received an Emmy working as a television commentator for marathons.
One of the Supersister trading cards featured Switzer’s name and picture in 1979. Kathrine was included in the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2011. The reasons because she created a social revolution by empowering women around the world. Kathrine was a guest speaker at the 164th commencement of Syracuse University. As an honor, she earned an honorary doctorate of humane letters degree.
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