Boston Marathon: Meet the first woman to run it - BBC News

[@3Cups-s7j]

Oh my God, I always get emotional when I hear this amazing history. Thank you, Katherine! Thank you so much!

[@clarag5565]

Katherine Switzer was the first women to “officially” run the Boston marathon but Roberta Louise "Bobbi" Gibb is the first woman to have run the entire Boston Marathon.

[@anthonycruciani939]

She's awesome. Watched her interview at Boston Marathon today and she is very inspiring.

[@rainywoex5035]

Such an inspirational story. What a wonderful and beautiful woman. Thank you so much Katherine :))

[@Ranger8744]

A real show of courage in her for taking on such a dangerous move! and also, The Real hero, her boyfriend and the two other guys fighting to keep her safe the whole way👍!

[@MelodyOfMars]

What a legend!

[@imaninward]

What makes them so insecure to have a woman running?

[@darrenkhosasi1252]

Gender discrimination

[@imaninward]

@@darrenkhosasi1252 Mixed inherently with cowardice.

[@matthewwelsh294]

Tiny dicks mostly likely, they are the real snowflakes getting all triggered by a woman running lol

[@ErickBlessed]

CCCP: 1st woman cosmonaut in 1963, 2 Orders of Lenin, Hero of Soviet Union, etc. murica: 1st woman running a marathon in 1967, beaten and harassed by organizers scontent.fqpa1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/104335815_3332336083499279_8922541398043835716_n.jpg?_nc_cat=1&_nc_sid=8024bb&_nc_ohc=0LS4_gVHcl8AX-a6WMW&_nc_ht=scontent.fqpa1-1.fna&oh=113237e3cae8dd1b2d99508ce24b7981&oe=5F1232B8

[@srijanashrestha7615]

Patriarchal society

[@albertoorengo9965]

Not the first one. Bobby Gibb had run the previous year unregistered. My respect to both anyway.

[@jamesfunk7614]

Bobby Gibb also ran the 1967 Boston Marathon, finishing ahead of Switzer. But, Switzer was the first woman to have run with a registered number.

[@EuroScot2023]

She not only beat Switzer's time , but did so by over 1 hour. Bobbi Gibb also ran the 1968 race. Gibb is officially acknowledged as the female winner in all 3 years now by the Boston Marathon.@@jamesfunk7614

[@walterbalinski4625]

Let's not forget the woman Bobbi Gibb who ran unofficially in 1966.

[@EuroScot2023]

And 1967 - an hour faster that Switzer - and also 1968. She's officially acknowledged by the Boston organisers these days as the female winner in all 3 years.

[@oninwonderboytv2049]

Love and respect from the Philippines! 🙌

[@scottie328]

This video description needs changed as she wasn't the first woman to run it. Just happened to be the first woman who registered who ran it. Bobbi Gibb actually ran out the year before. As well as ruining in the race with Katherine (and I believe beat her time by around an hour?).

[@harryp.s.4650]

Love you mam for this, you are incredible and people who supported you should feel proud about them.

[@billwhite9703]

Harry P.S. Bobbi Gibb ran unregistered in this race so as not to cause a stir. She finished an hour ahead of Switzer who takes credit for being the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. It's bullshit really.

[@xPHOENIX269x]

Bill white Not bullshit. Gibb actually snuck into the race. After others realized she was a woman, were encouraging, and didn't care, removed her sweatshirt she wore to hide herself and finished the race. Switser was the first registered female runner. What's bullshit is this statement. Boston Athletic association director Will Cloney was asked his opinion of Switzer competing in the race. Cloney said, "Women can't run in the Marathon because the rules forbid it. Unless we have rules, society will be in chaos. I don't make the rules, but I try to carry them out. We have no space in the Marathon for any unauthorized person, even a man. If that girl were my daughter, I would spank her." The AAU barred women from men's running competitions. Also any violators would be banned from further races. And Switser personal best time was 2:51:37 in 1974. Pretty good improvement.

[@gordonbennett5638]

Bill white What you're not getting here Bill, is that Bobbi Gibb made no impact on women's rights by running unregistered - that's the point.

[@AnonYmouS00816]

Mam? Is she your mom?

[@carloscosta3815]

I'm a Brazilian physical education teacher and every year I tell my students Kathrine's beautiful story.

[@EuroScot2023]

You should also tell them that Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb ranthe race in 1966, 1967 and 1968 and is now acknowledged as the female winner in all 3 years. She beat Switzer in 1967 by over 1 hour.

[@TragicDestiny82]

OMG

[@deloisalexander-garnes1911]

I love this story....so inspiring....Thanks Kathrine for being so determine.

[@rebeccaaustin8996]

And her boyfriend and her coach are my heros too! So glad her boyfriend had her back xx

[@narsil0420]

Seems irresponsible for a news organization to mislead people with this title and not say it was actually Bobbi Gibb

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@EuroScot2023]

This story title is incorrect. Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered. The BBC is usually, though not always, a pretty accurate news source but in this case they have the story seriously wrong. Facts are Facts.

[@Berrygirl6784]

Feminist propaganda

[@reubtube2463]

I heard a podcast interviewing her about this today . Inspirational woman. Crazy to think that they were excluded from this but so long ago. I love seeing woman’s sport go from strength to strength these days!!

[@lillianhatch2035]

You go girl!

[@robertmatheus8004]

I just found out this incredible story - as a young man, I look up to strong women as fine examples to follow. no need for a male figure

[@Successcomesonce]

Like esdeath hehe

[@Ranger8744]

😂

[@michaelalando]

Hey! You need the male figures at some point to fend off the bulies. Thankfully the complete story includes Heroines and Heroes too.😊

[@PsychologicalApparition]

I’m with you : always gravitated toward female creativity in music n movies and in a non sexual way 😉

[@richardwilliams4976]

God bless Kathrine Switzer! 🙏❤️🇺🇸😊

[@maddyedits01]

I just found it now... Nd felt so inspired... ❤️❤️❤️

[@tsmay4598]

Bobbi Gibb was the first woman to run the marathon in 1966.

[@Gildermesh]

Yes but the BBC never let the truth interfere with the shit they broadcast

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@Maverick5588]

fantastic story

[@christaannes1463]

Bobbi Gibb was the first woman to run it actually…Katherine was the first registered woman to run it. Credit to BOTH please and thank you, BBC.

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@obscurelyvague]

I am not sure if anyone mentioned it in this thread already, (and I have not yet seen the video completely) but though Katherine Switzer is one of the first women to ever run the Boston Marathon, there reportedly was a woman who did it before her by the name of Bobbi Gibb. Ms Switzer has made something of a business talking about herself as the first woman to do it (or so it seems) but she may not actually have been the very first woman to run the Boston.

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@BJCulpepper]

Um, she still looks good...

[@darkangelargentina111]

Que leyenda , que valiente !

[@iVenge]

She was stunningly beautiful then, and is still so today.

[@mondy710]

A woman proved that women could also run the Boston marathon and finish it. Thirteen years later, a woman also smeared that women's aspiration in that same event.

[@Riceblox2000]

Kind of sad that it wasn’t that long ago ya know. Jeez.

[@charlierodgers1758]

k.v. switzer was the second woman to run boston, bobbi gibb the first one year earlier in 1966

[@oscarreyes4586]

Legend! Deserves a statue in boston!

[@Sarahurrah9]

His name is Jock Semple. They became friends. When he passed away, she went to his funeral.

[@rezaricardo9329]

Toda una gran atleta katerin switzer

[@veronicabargas6833]

Thank you Katherine

[@rebeccaaustin8996]

She is my hero!!

[@bsfatboy]

This is amazing

[@chapman1004]

Salute to Kathrine Switzer, even I am a male

[@Belacroix5]

chapman1004 what does it have to do with anything that you are male?

[@eden20111]

Desire_to_? Shut up

[@Belacroix5]

Ethan Moreau You shut up.

[@hannahreynen4283]

Belacroix exactly

[@emotionalmami7880]

She came to my school today

[@anmoweb]

Actually Roberta Gabe was the first even if she ran unoficially and did sneek into the race. Kathrine Switzer was the first women to officially run a Marathon and the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967 with the number 261.

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@MarinaVendetta]

This is something we women should never forget, there was a time where most of the things we can do nowadays was forbidden. We have been since then “allowed” to do them.

[@asmelashkiflay]

Thank you for being a fighter:))

[@charlierodgers1758]

katherine was not the first woman to run boston,bobbi gibb was first in 1966 ,she was first to cross the finish in 1967 and 1968 , katherine was the second woman that is the truth,charlie rodgers

[@EuroScot2023]

Exactly, Charlie and it is officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers these days. She was not only first to finish in '67 but she was an hour faster than Switzer!

[@sierranevadatrail]

As you said, let's let this one go. Peace.

[@motorcyclemechanic.]

First women was actually Bobbi Gibb

[@irm63]

Frauenrechte sind auch heute nicht selbstverständlich, genausowenig wie Menschenrechte!

[@bkokohut1980]

I have never heard the .2 called 385yds before.

[@Tmus228]

She wasn't the first it was Bobbi Gibb..😮

[@salehsaid1943]

i cant believe this This happened! honestly it's the craziest shit I've ever seen

[@philipbrook6404]

Bobbi Gibb was the first woman to run the Boston marathon.

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@kevinbruno5677]

The first OFFICAL female, Roberta Gibb was the first woman to finish in 1966.

[@kcamerak]

No. See Bobbi Gibb.

[@RVloveland]

incredible stroy!

[@nicefella1640]

er,you go girl

[@LeahNaga]

This is women empowerment.

[@Kevin-gf1yk]

As wonderful as Kathrine is, she was not the first.It was Bobbi Gibb was the first.

[@UTUBESUCK666]

Bobbi Gibb was unregistered.

[@Kevin-gf1yk]

yep

[@krepsas]

wasnt Bobbi Gibb first ?

[@motorcyclemechanic.]

Yes she was, unofficially, she just jumped in and started running.

[@EuroScot2023]

She was in 1966,67 and 68. Acknowledged by the Boston Marathon officially these days as the female winner all three years.@@motorcyclemechanic.

[@ComteDeGracey]

And she was crazy beautiful.

[@honeybadger6313]

Except a woman called bobbi Gibb ran in 1966

[@wandawoman8392]

It all happened in front of witnesses and cameras. Why didn't she press charges? She should've sued him for assault.

[@shanna9990]

IKR

[@aviradius4455]

They were friends after this incident and she forgave him.

[@annmitchell4663]

Smh..its always about money in the US..compensation culture gone mad...she wasnt hurt.

[@Phenomanation24]

It's 1966 dude

[@EuroScot2023]

And - he was actually trying to pull mof her number, not stop her running. Besides... Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.@@aviradius4455

[@marilyncruz1030]

I hope I look like that in my 70s

[@HopeIanHope]

What was her time ?

[@EuroScot2023]

An hour more than Bobbi Gibb!!

[@tonvankuijeren3506]

Very good stop prejudices against women👏

[@ticketyboo2456]

Bobbi Gibb is not as significant because this woman run for other women. This woman fought for others. This woman made sacrifices for others. Bobbi Gibb is not mentioned because she did it for herself not others.

[@EuroScot2023]

Have you any remote idea of what Bobbi Gibb did in the rest of her life. She is a Giant!

[@kornburg14]

She.looks good for 70, and what the Heck was wrong with mens in 60s

[@richardkule9384]

I thought Bobby Gibb was first in 1966?

[@94wonderboy]

who dislikes this video

[@mjt11860]

i would have paid to see that a****** official flying thru the air after her boyfriend hit him. U GO GIRL!

[@HopeIanHope]

Unbelievable

[@tomrunner3908]

They do this to people with autism as well would someone traine me in running I have autism

[@lilcurry3826]

Y'all know why he wanted her numbers?

[@TMK883]

Holy first ever Kiwi won the same day🤣🤜🤛

[@sierranevadatrail]

There apparently some people who would disagree with the title of this video: "Bobbi...-The point was not to trick the officials into giving me an illegal number. The point was to demonstrate that I could run a marathon and run it well. Jan-So, far from being official, Kathy was less legal than you. She was running with an illegal and invalid men’s division number even though technically she was in the unsanctioned women’s division race." ........... "Jan-It bothers me that no one takes Switzer up on this stuff. She is deluding the public and giving the impression to everyone that she was the first. She has those photos, which she uses as her trademark of Jock trying to remove her illegal number. It’s like a cigarette ad-an image, the Malboro Man… Smoke Cools… or Virginia Slims. Laurie-That’s her career, PR, sports announcing, race promotion getting race sponsorship. Jan-But it’s false advertising. It’s not good for her in the long run. When people find out the truth, they are angry. She looses credibility. And it certainly casts a shadow over the running community. And its not good for women either to find out that a woman who has marketed herself as a women’s rights advocate has been less than honest."

[@felicitym4842]

Oh let it go - whoever made the uploads for BBC's KZbin channel titled the video not her. I have no idea who Jan and Laurie are but I personally it doesn't bother me in the least that another woman ran unofficially a year before her. It doesn't take away from what Switzer did. Those numbers she was wearing were the reason she made international headlines. In order to change the rules sometimes you have to break them first.

[@mikeprime5028]

The question is what if she never ran the marathon 🤔

[@bazskinner5770]

I see swizler forgot to mention Bobbi Gibb....again.....hhhmmmmm

[@octojake]

Great! Wonderful! Really a great accomplishment and it opened the door to fairness and equality. Hooray for Kathrine! But in all the stories, there is no mention of the name of her boyfriend who nailed the official who tried to yank her out of the race. So congratulations to that unheralded hero who put the great downfield block that sent the "official" flying out of bounds and save the day. Come on Kathrine, you say he was your boyfriend, but you never mention his name. You know, the old saying is true, "Behind every great woman, is a great man!"

[@bazskinner5770]

Ex husband. Switzers got her story ready. Bobbi Gibb did it a year before and 67 and 68, she finished an hour before swizler. Funny that, forgot to mention her....hhmmmm

[@EuroScot2023]

Roberta 'Bobbi' Gibb had run the race without registering the year before. She also ran the race in 1967 and beat Switzer's time by around 1 hour. Finally, she ran the race in 1968 and was the fastest female finisher. All three victories are now officially acknowledged by the Boston Marathon organisers and are regularly officially celebrated at the event. Gibb, incidentally, is not just a great runner but also a lawyer, scientist, author and artist and a lovely person too! Switzer was the first female registered as an entrant but the race authorities did not realise she was female as the entry had been made by her coach and used only her initials. The famous picture of the deputy race organiser trying to 'stop' Switzer running is also labelled incorrectly as what he was trying to do was tear off her runner's number since he was worried the race would lose its status if a woman ran it while registered.

[@FlorimondH]

Good o' medieval times.

[@ricardomurillo5205]

The boyfriend is a hero. The coach is a guiding angel. Why are they not interviewed? It is those that see injustice and do something that deserve credit. some women think they can do it all on their own. this story shows different.

[@felicitym4842]

Because neither of them were the first woman to run the Boston Marathon. What they did was commendable but this is Katherine's story. The athletes you see featured in the media today all have a team of people behind them that enabled their achievements.

[@elizawanhatalo6599]

Women could do it all on their own if there weren't those a-holes trying to 'drag them back to kitchen' thinking they have some kind of right to do so. Boyfriend was true sweetheart to help her when she was insulted though. But this is about Katherine, it was her special day and marathon. Keep that in mind.

[@ricardomurillo5205]

@@elizawanhatalo6599 So that's why? Because it's all about her. The boyfriend is just a shadow in this story does not deserve 30 seconds of spotlight. WOW. The ego...

[@elizawanhatalo6599]

@@ricardomurillo5205 You got it right my friend, this story is about Kathrine🙂. As I read, Tom (the boyfriend) was great support and proud of her❤️. Cool down, no ego is in danger!

[@PsychologicalApparition]

@@ricardomurillo5205You sound like you’ve come from the 1940’s. It’s amazing that these weird “females are lesser than” ideas still exist in some humans. 😂 Simply amazing!

[@thekidme]

She is a TRUE activist! Take note 2020. She didn’t yell, cry and have some chant... NOPE... She just did it.

[@HopeIanHope]

Now you could have man as woman running in race. That is wrong.

[@thumbsdownbandit]

Never forget: She wouldn't have achieved that without the help of men.

[@PsychologicalApparition]

And you wouldn’t be here without the help of women. You simply would not exist.

[@billwhite9703]

Kathrine Switser's finishing time of approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes was nearly an hour behind the first female finisher, Bobbi Gibb (who ran unregistered, and thus was not paid due attention and is [obviously deliberately] not mentioned here by Kathrine Switzer). Kathrine certainly did the right thing by meeting the bigotry head on, but when she implies she didn't plan confrontation when she entered under a non gendered name she's waffling. She was definitely an attention hog, and used the attention both to further her career and boost her ego.

[@bazskinner5770]

Top man...never mentions Bobbi Gibb....the medical....

[@spartaragekick6202]

feminazi @ its finest.....oh....did i say that outloud....mybad...im srry...i always get inspired when im wearin my over-alls & white tank top smered w/grease....

[@станиславцветанов-н6н]

shame

[@steves4533]

So let's be clear. One man had a problem with a woman running. That was the director of the race who you see in the photo chasing after her.. Maybe he was a sexist, maybe he was a narcissist control freak or both. But her coach, boyfriend and running partner obviously had no problem with her running the marathon. And from what Katherine Switzer has said herself in other interviews of this, many of the other men running the marathon were friendly to her and got a kick out of her being there. But the common narrative behind this story seems to frame it as if most men at the time would have a problem with it. Yet, there is no evidence here that most men at the time seemed to really give a shit if a woman was running or not.

[@EuroScot2023]

What he was actually trying to do was tear off her number as the organisers were worried that allowing a registered woman to run would lose them their accreditation. Still not good but given the time it does make a bit more sense.

[@jamesfunk7614]

That official was Jock Semple, a race director. He ran the Boston Marathon as if it was his personal property. When someone on the press bus shouted something along the lines of "Hey, Jock. You have a broad in the race", he took it as an insult directed against him personally. He and Switzer eventually reconciled. Photo of Switzer and Semple in 1973 i2-prod.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/article7227835.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/utils.jpg