Katherine Switzer became the first woman to run as a numbered participant in the Boston Marathon, April 19, 1967.
Switzer registered for the race as K.V. Switzer and was given a number, even though women were not invited to run.
When the error was discovered, one official tried to physically force her off the course. But Switzer’s boyfriend, also running, clobbered the official, sending him flying and they continued.
An unofficial woman runner, Bobbi Gibb, beat Switzer’s time by an hour.
Women were not officially welcome to the marathon until 1972. Interestingly, the official who pushed Switzer in 1967 was instrumental in making women part of the event in 1972.
