Chapter 04 of 5
The Women Who Ran Anyway
Women were told they couldn't run 26.2 miles. They proved otherwise.
- The Myth
'Too fragile' to run far
For much of the 20th century, officials claimed long-distance running was dangerous for women — with almost no evidence.
- Olympic Ban
Distance capped
After the women's 800 m in 1928, where some runners were said to look exhausted, women didn't run further than 200 m at the Olympics again until 1960.
- 1966
Bobbi Gibb hides in the bushes
Told women weren't physiologically able to run a marathon, Bobbi Gibb hid near the start of the 1966 Boston Marathon and joined the race.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
How did Kathrine Switzer get an official number for the 1967 Boston Marathon?
🏃 The Marathon: From Myth to Two Hours
- 01The Messenger Who Never WasHow a muddled ancient legend became the Olympics' most famous race.
- 02The Royal DistanceWhy the marathon is 26.2 miles — and the race that broke a runner's body.
- 03Barefoot Through RomeThe unknown Ethiopian who won the Olympic marathon without shoes.
- 04The Women Who Ran AnywayWomen were told they couldn't run 26.2 miles. They proved otherwise.
- 05Breaking TwoBiology, carbon-plated shoes and the first marathon under two hours.