By Sharanya Gopinathan
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially enter and complete the Boston Marathon. On the 17th of April, 50 years later, she ran and completed the Boston Marathon again. She is 70 years old.
In 1967, women were not allowed to compete in the Boston Marathon. Switzer said that she entered the race providing her initials, although while running it, she didn’t attempt to hide the fact that she was a woman: she wore earrings and lipstick despite people suggesting that she wipe it off. When she was nearing the finish line, the race directer, Jock Temple, attempted to physically stop her from running by grabbing her, screaming at her t return her running number. Her boyfriend pulled him off her, and she completed the race. She was later disqualified.
Photographers at the time captured the altercation, allowing for this amazing juxtaposition of images 50 years later:
50 years ago they tried to stop Katherine Switzer running the Boston Marathon. Yesterday, at 70, she ran it again, wearing the same number. pic.twitter.com/G4OqfOefuO
— Samuel West (@exitthelemming) April 18, 2017
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