In protest of the “special” start, women sit at the starting line of the NYC Marathon.ġ975- After becoming a law in 1972, Title IX begins to got into effect, discouraging unequal federal financial aid and university support for women’s programs.

However, women are required to start at a separate time. Although race official Jock Semple tried to pull her off the course, she finished the race in 4:20 and was subsequently banned by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).ġ972 - The AAU allows women to register for marathons after dropping its 1961 ban on women competing in U.S.

The IAAF didn’t recognize the women’s mile as a world record event until 1967.ġ960 - Women are allowed to participate in five running events in the Summer Olympics, including the 800 meters, which had been banned after the race in 1928 because of questions as to whether it was too taxing for female athletes.ġ967 - Kathrine Switzer is the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an official bib registered under the name K.V. Watershed Moments in Women’s Running Historyġ954 - British-born Diane Leather becomes the first woman to run a sub-5-minute mile (4:59.6) on May 29, just 23 days after Roger Bannister ran his 3:59.4 mile. Here are some of those watershed moments that shifted the sport of running toward one of inclusiveness. Running was a sport for the men once upon a time, but that notion slowly deteriorated as historical events changed the perception of who could take part. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

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