While running has been a part of history for thousands of years, it hasn’t been around for that long for all genders. For the past one hundred years, women runners have had to fight not only to participate in the sport of running but also to get acclaim. Women, once declared “too fragile” or “unfit,” became trailblazers and led the way for everyone with a dream after them.
It hasn’t been an easy journey for women. After many hardships and a tough fight, it’s just over 50 years since women runners were legally allowed to run a marathon. And now, female runners continue to break records and compete for running excellence. Let’s explore some of the pioneers who helped bridge the gender gap and where women runners are today.
Deep Dive into Women Runner’s
Let’s go back to 1928, shall we? That year’s Olympics were held in Amsterdam, the first Olympics in which women runners were allowed to participate. Don’t get too excited. The only track and field distances women could partake in were the 100—and 800-meter races. So… barely even a half mile.
That didn’t stop the eagerness to bend the gender gap so that women could rightfully participate in the Olympics and the sport of running. And now, introducing Elizabeth “Betty” Robinson! She was the first woman runner to win a gold medal in track and field at the Olympics. Unfortunately for Betty, she was still considered an “inaugural” champion because she was a woman.
The fight and strife women runners went through to show the world they were not only capable but could excel at running continued. It wasn’t until 1966 that the powerful strides being made came to fruition. This is where Bobbi Gibb comes into play. As women runners were still banned from running long distances, Bobby hid in the bushes until the start of the race.
Wearing her brother’s gym shorts and a bathing suit, she crossed the finish line of the race with a time of 3:21. In short, she beat half of the participants—all men. The proof is in the pudding! Women can do what men say they can’t. Although she wasn’t officially registered in the race, her courage inspired many to follow.
Seeking Equality Doesn’t Rest
Flash forward some decades, when running for women was changed forever. Katherine Switzer signed up for the Boston Marathon in 1967. She was under the guise of a man by using only her initials. When race directors and officials noticed she was, in fact, a woman with bib number 261, they did everything in their power to get her to stop running.
Boston Marathon’s very own race director forcefully tried to push her off the course. But nothing stopped her. She defeated the odds and the opposition and successfully finished the race as the first woman “registered” for the Boston Marathon. Her perseverance and dedication in completing this race, despite all the forces against her, made waves for women in running.
It led her to start the “261 Fearless” movement. This nonprofit offers women’s education and running opportunities, inspiring them to take control of their lives. Despite the challenges that women continue to face, they will not stop until there is full equality. So, that means supporting all efforts, including in running, to allow women to prosper and excel.
Women Runner’s Today
Since the early days, women runners have taken this industry by storm. With the legalization of women’s running in 1972, the efforts and talents of long-distance women runners are now celebrated. The New York City and Boston Marathons finally allowed women to enter and participate in their races. However, they were forced to start 10 minutes before the male participants.
More trailblazers to highlight: Grete Waitz! Grete Waitz is the first woman to run a marathon in under two and a half hours. Over the next ten years, she won 9 New York City Marathons and silver at the 1984 Olympics. Tegla Loroupe was the first African American woman to win a major marathon in 1994, finishing in under two and a half hours.
Flash forward to 2024. The ratio between male and women runners is almost completely equal. Statistics show that 45% of marathon runners are women. Studies have even shown that women are better at holding a consistent pace throughout running a marathon. That shows that although women runners weren’t even allowed to participate once upon a time, they’ve overcome that obstacle and taken the running community by storm.
So, there you have it! The evolution of women runners is a true testament to resilience, determination, and progress. Women have excelled in reshaping the sport and inspired countless others to commit to the wild journey that running is. We all look forward to seeing their excellence and accomplishments continue to build well into the future.
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