Women Runners Who Made History
By Marissa Del Mistro
March is an entire month dedicated to celebrating the tremendous accomplishments of women, including women runners who changed the sport — and the world — with their courage. Women's History Month has been declared a month to acknowledge the many contributions women have made to history and contemporary society since 1987. The celebration grew out of a weekly women’s celebration started by a school district in Sonoma, California in 1978 when hundreds of students wrote essays about “Real Women,” and held a parade. What better way to celebrate the brilliance of women than by celebrating women runners who made history!
Women in Sports Over the Years
Narratives of women throughout history have predominantly idolized women as pure, gentle, soft, and approachable. Well into the 19th century, American women were not included in sports as it was deemed a threat to fertility, and they were not supposed to exert themselves. Unless, of course, elite, and wealthy women wished to partake in socially acceptable country club activities such as tennis, croquet, archery, and bathing-beauty swimming. Modern Olympics only welcomed female competitors in the 1920s, however, there was still a “Women’s Olympics,” which went on well into the 1930s.
Who Runs the World? Girls!
In 1972, women runners were officially welcomed to race in the Boston Marathon, and the popularity of the sport continued throughout the 1970s as more and more women began to fall in love with running. In 1973, the first all-womens' marathon took place in West Germany. The rest is history!
Women Runners Who Changed History
Here are some other incredible women runners who truly made their mark on history:
Kathrine Switzer
“When I go to the Boston Marathon now, I have wet shoulders—women fall into my arms crying. They’re weeping for joy because running has changed their lives. They feel they can do anything.”
Before the Boston Marathon finally allowed female runners, a bold 20-year-old Kathrine Switzer showed up to the race in 1967, under an alias “K.V. Switzer” and despite being physically pulled off the course by multiple men, including the race's director, she went on to complete the entire race. Kathrine continues to run and pave the way for other female runners by winning the New York City Marathon. She continues to inspire women everywhere and still runs today at age 75.
Joan Benoit Samuelson
In 1984, Joan Benoit Samuelson took gold at the first-ever women’s Olympic Marathon. A mere year after her win, she set the American women’s record in Chicago in 2:21:21. Today, she is the only woman who has ever run a sub-3-hour marathon in five consecutive decades. Joan Benoit-Samuelson is now in her 60s and continues to inspire both elite and recreational women runners.
Alysia Montaño paved the way for elite mother runners.
Alysia Montaño
Remember that silly “running will impact the fertility of women” thing? Alysia Montaño turned that “theory” right on its head by competing at the U.S. Outdoor Championships in 2014 while 34 weeks pregnant, making the ultimate statement. In 2017, at five months pregnant, she did it again, showing the world that pregnancy doesn’t equal the end of your athletic career. Alysia Montaño alongside other famous female athletes Allyson Felix (learn more about Allyson in our Black Runners who Changed History post), and Kara Goucher protested against the Nike pregnancy policy (which gave female athletes 10 months post-birth to regain their ability and fitness to their pre-pregnancy level) which caused Nike to change their contracts to support female runners who are mothers.
Amelia Boone
“No one owes you anything. Make your opportunities.”
You may remember Amelia Boone from when she graced the 2015 cover of Runner’s World Magazine which talks about how Amelia Boone, in her 20s, went from hating running to winning obstacle-running races. Amelia Boone is now regarded as one of the top obstacle course racers in the world, winning the Spartan Race in 2013. She was a three-time World’s Toughest Mudder in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Amelia Boone uses her platform to discuss women’s place in running, mental health stigmas and overcoming personal obstacles.
Lisa Lindahl, Polly Smith and Hinda Schreiber
These three women runners are who we have to thank for the world of sports bras! Where would women runners be without them? In 1977, the three women were fed up with feeling discomfort when working out and sweating so they ended up sewing two jockstraps together, thus the “Jogbra,” was born!
Jackie Joyner-Kersee
In 1978, Jackie Joyner-Kersee became the first woman runner to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Media representation matters. Jackie Joyner-Kersee focussed on track and field athletes, and, despite now being retired, is still considered one of the all-time greatest athletes in the heptathlon as well as long jump. Jackie Joyner-Kersee won three gold, one silver, and two bronze Olympic medals in those events at four different Olympic Games.
Oprah Winfrey
“Running is the greatest metaphor for life because you get out of it what you put into it.”
In 1994, at the age of 40 years old, media celebrity Oprah Winfrey made a point to cross the finish line successfully at the Marine Corps Marathon in Virginia. Oprah Winfrey did this to showcase that running is inclusive for women of all ages and stages of life.
Pam Reed
American ultra-runner Pam Reed took first place at the notoriously tough Badwater Ultramarathon, a 135-mile course that weaves through California’s Death Valley in July, where the temperatures reach upwards of 120 degrees. In 2002, Pam Reed sped ahead of all the other contestants, taking first place, winning against all the men and all the women -making her the first woman ever to win!
Mary Decker
In 1980, Mary Decker became the first American woman to run a mile in under 4:20, running 4:17.55, beating out the record previously held by a man. Mary Decker also won gold medals for 1,500 meters and 3,000 meters at the 1983 World Champions. Now in her 60s, Mary Decker continues to tie her laces and hit the pavement.
Rosie Swale-Pope
British Born Rosie Swale-Pope is one of the gutsiest female runners, who in 2002 was deemed the first woman to run around the world, which took her an impressive five years. Rosie Swale-Pope raised £250,000 for a charity to support orphaned children in Russia. Rosie Swale-Pope now enjoys doing corporate speeches to share her life-enriching lessons to motivate other women.
Sarah Attar
“ For women in Saudi Arabia, I think this can really spark something to get more involved in sports, to become more athletic.”
The now 29-year-old Sarah Attar took the world stage at the 2012 London, UK Olympic Games. She was the first woman runner from Saudi Arabia to compete in an Olympic track and field event. Sarah Attar did not have the fastest time, but nonetheless, the audience rose to their feet to celebrate the momentous moment.
Above are just some of the women who brought their magic to the sport of running and helped change the game for women runners everywhere. This list is simply just scratching the surface of all of the incredible women who continue to break records and shatter stigmas for female runners! Do you have a favorite female runner? Comment below with your favorite female runners.
Related Posts: Black Runners Who Changed History, Running Safety Tips, Body Neutrality and Navigating a Bigger Body in the Gym
Photo by Matt Lee on Unsplash.
Marissa Del Mistro is a writer, editor, and always on the hunt for the perfect workout. Marissa absolutely loves trail running, dancing, and cycling. When she’s not writing, Marissa loves cooking, podcasts, traveling, and exploring her home in the beautiful unceded Coast Salish Territory of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ nations.