Kathrine Switzer, First Woman to Run The Boston Marathon Talks Triumph in Life

Send us a text Inspiring. Motivating. Empowering. This is Kathrine Switzer, the first official woman to run the Boston Marathon. She just wanted to run but ended up being an icon. In the beginning, the goal was just to be on the girls’ field hockey team in high school. But, with the ever-present support of her father, she not only reached that goal, she triumphed over and over, just by having the passion to put one foot in front of the other. From being the fastest girl on the field hockey team, to garnering an audience for girls’ sports for the first time by being a writer for the school newspaper, to training with the all-boys Cross Country team at Syracuse University, her younger years laid the foundation for her work in the spotlight as a women’s and civil rights activist, following her history-making run in the Boston Marathon in 1967. After that, the sky was the limit. She had to keep going…and she did! In this interview, Kathrine shares her awe-inspiring journey from curious girl to strong woman and how she is now giving back to other women worldwide through her non-profit, 261Fearless.  In this episode, you will be able to:Identify YOUR light!Draw inspiration from Kathrine’s story to triumph over struggles of your own.Understand just how much of an impact that one person CAN have! And realize that that person could very well be YOU!Realize that where there is a ‘no’, there is more than likely an alternative. Find it!Comprehend just how important it is to be self-aware. Life gives you moments to choose to be brave…or not. Choose bravery!Know that life’s greatest relationships and experiences can come as a result of forgiveness.Comprehend that everyone has moments of discouragement. It’s how you bounce back that determines what you’re made of. About Kathrine Iconic athlete, sports and social advocate, author, and Emmy award-winning television commentator, Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon. She has completed 40 marathons and won the New York City Marathon in 1974. She went on to create and direct the Avon International Running Circuit, a program of 400 womens"-only races in 27 countries that eventually reached over 1 million women and led to the inclusion of the women’s marathon in the Olympic Games in 1984. Switzer is also a TV commentator and has covered the Olympics, World and National Championships and many major marathons, including 37 consecutive commentaries of the Boston Marathon. She is the author of three books including the popular memoir, Marathon Woman. Switzer has been honored widely for her achievements, most recently being inducted into the USA National Women’s Hall of Fame for creating positive social change. In 2015, she co-founded 261 Fearless Inc., a non-profit organization that inspires, motivates and educates women to lead empowered lives through running.  In 2017, at age 70, she ran the Boston Marathon on the 50th anniversary of her first historic run. Connect with Kathrine: Marathonwoman.com 261fearless.org Loved this episode? Leave us a review and rating here: She"s Brave Podcast on Apple Podcasts Connect with Kristina: She"s Brave Podcast Website Instagram Facebook Curious about podcasting? Join Podcast Mastery Facebook Group