First Woman to Run in Boston Marathon Did It Again — 50 Years Later

Apr 17, 2017 8:28 PM

LucyBelle

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Fifty years ago, a runner officially entered as K.V. Switzer participated in the Boston Marathon. On Monday, she did it again at age 70.

That woman looks better at 70 than I do at 25.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Today I drove to the convenience store to get chips

9 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 9

Her boyfriend is bae

9 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 1

Her book is AMAZING.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Age 70? Holy fuck.

9 years ago | Likes 61 Dislikes 2

And 17 years later at the 84 Summer Olympics, the first Olympic women's marathon was held.

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Now is the correct time to use the term feminism.

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 5

This is the face of equality. Who did she hurt, marginalize and what violent protest did she start? Let her in. No foul, no harm.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Simply Awesomeness!

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

She looks good for 70 tbh.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It always beats me when women are hindered in doing something, because they´re women. That´s peak dumbness.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Step 1: Get a big BF

9 years ago | Likes 28 Dislikes 16

No, Step 1: Train to run a marathon.

9 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

I met her and have a signed copy of one of these photos. Prized possession.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Took her 50 years to finish the marathon? I still have hope

9 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 3

Your momma did it 50 years later.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

As a finisher of about 70 marathons & a dozen ultras, I've always admired this woman.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

What the hell is with the comments

9 years ago | Likes 37 Dislikes 5

Anonymity on the internet allows one to be an asshole without reciprocity.

9 years ago | Likes 25 Dislikes 3

We don't even have anonymity here, more like pseudonymity.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It's insane to me how recently shit like this happened. As a kid I'd always see history as SO long ago. It's never as long ago as I think.

9 years ago | Likes 23 Dislikes 1

I mean, it certainly depends on your frame of reference. Metal works is fairly recent, but compared to modern medicine is a fuckton of time.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Also remember that the baby boomer generation want to revert life to how it was when they were kids.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I agree. It's not long ago at all. My mom was 10 years old in 1967. She's had a great lifetime of road running, triathlons, & ultras.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

According to her interview today, Semple thought she was basically "crashing" the race. Like running without registering because during 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

That time women weren't allowed to race because people thought it was biologically impossible for them to run that far or they could 2/3

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Go sterile. 3/3

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Really cool story runners world did with her. Also her bib got retired today. She has made a major impact in the world of running

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Its nice, that she got the same number, as her first run :)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Oh dear. Just saw, that this is a repost. The original even stated, that they are retiring her number.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I got out of breath going upstairs to get my Twinkies last night.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Good for her, and for everyone. Equality is a beautiful dream

9 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Fifty years later, and they made her wear the same old number. JK: congratulations on breaking the glass finishing line!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Is it me or does this look like Nina Hartley

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Wellp, now I want to fuck her.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Extraordinary women and the amazing men behind them.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 5

This coulda been gold but I think you're too late

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

Repost it w that title

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

Years have been kind to her. Looks great for 70.

9 years ago | Likes 445 Dislikes 2

As opposed to The Cheeto

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Sigh... Unzips.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 3

I agree. Doesn't look a day over 35

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

Would

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 6

My first thought too

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Plastic surgery

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 6

Tends to happen when you run marathons, you stay in shape

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

She probably exercises.

9 years ago | Likes 66 Dislikes 1

Wow what a nerd

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Cardio

9 years ago | Likes 114 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Jul 16, 2017 2:06 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Excessive anything is not good for you.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I like this kind of feminism.

9 years ago | Likes 189 Dislikes 8

This is what most people (outside of the internet) think of when they think of feminism.

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

She should be praised, but I want to cheer on the boyfriend who was ready to literally FIGHT for her to run a race.

9 years ago | Likes 55 Dislikes 10

Great example of how feminism should be a collaborative effort!

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 2

It was more of a reflex to protect her and not as selfless and heroic as the photo implies:

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 0

I don't condone his little hissy fit, but his actions speak louder than his words.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

It always angers me to see abusive people getting the praise. Thanks for the info

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

I can't say if he's abusive but she probably wouldn't class him as a feminist hero. But good tackle tho:

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I read other comments pointing towards abusive behaviour

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

#261

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Yeah, I like that they gave her her number from that time.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

It was also retired yesterday. No one will be able to wear that number at the marathon again.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

At Boston or all over the nation?

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Boston

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Interestingly, the official was Jock Semple - who was actually in favor of allowing women to race but took the rules REALLY seriously.

9 years ago | Likes 1469 Dislikes 10

"I want you to be able to race, but until then GET THE FUCK OUT!!!!!!"

9 years ago | Likes 384 Dislikes 2

That man had a temper. He jumped off the officials truck, ran over and grabbed her, then screamed "Get out of my race!!"

9 years ago | Likes 41 Dislikes 0

The dollop podcast did an absolutely great episode on this!

9 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Lawful Good?

9 years ago | Likes 666 Dislikes 20

Lawful Neutral; rules are black and white, no deviation

9 years ago | Likes 433 Dislikes 3

Yep

9 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 3

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9 years ago (deleted Oct 12, 2022 7:59 PM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Another forgotten athlete - Mack Robinson. Finished .4 seconds after Jesse Owens with no trainer and old shoes. >

9 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

> He was Jackie Robinsons older brother.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

still. fuck, him.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 9

Yeah, fuck him! He tried to manhandle and intimidate her out of "his" race and might have succeeded if her boyfriend hadn't intervened.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

Most sources agree that he wanted the bib, not her.

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I respect that

9 years ago | Likes 97 Dislikes 26

Those are the exact words that went through my head when I read this.

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

I don't, fuck people like that. "I don't think you should be allowed to own black people, but the law says it's okay, so I'm just gonna 1/2

9 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 16

TY, I hate people who say 'I respect people that follow clearly immoral rules!"

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 7

have to comply with the fugitive slave act..."

9 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 13

Because a jogging competition is the same thing as enslavement of an entire race of people.

9 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

That's like saying I respect the Germans that turned in Jews to the Nazis because they were following the law, even if they didnt like it

9 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 12

No, not quite like that. See, this is a race. It's essentially a little game where you run. The Jews were burned and gassed and starved.

9 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

Hey look it's Goodwins law!

9 years ago | Likes 13 Dislikes 2

I respect him for following it

9 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Hey look, I was using hyperbole to show the fallacy of his argument!

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Then again, the two hyperbolic comparisons used were the Nazis and slavery. Sliiiightly excessive in my opinion ;)

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't respect blind obedience to clearly unjust rules.

9 years ago | Likes 36 Dislikes 22

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9 years ago (deleted Aug 30, 2022 4:37 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

that is typically how lawful neutral people end up being associates to murdering fascists irl

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Aug 30, 2022 4:38 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

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9 years ago (deleted Aug 30, 2022 4:38 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Do you respect someone who has no say in the matter since he is just an employee and needs his job?

9 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 4

He wasnt just an employee, he was an official, and he didnt change his stance till years later

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Defense did not work for the nazi's

9 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 9

TIL prohibiting a woman from running a marathon is the same as murdering millions of people because of their religion.

9 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

Men and women are still divided in almost every sport for a reason.. life is unjust for a reason

9 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

I think men and women being divided into different sports isn't unjust. It's logical, our bodies are built differently and thus they...

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

... can do somethings better than others. Men tend to be stronger, women tend to be more flexible, etc.

9 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0