A half-century ago, the Boston Marathon was a men’s-only event.
Females had joined in running in the event, but without official bib numbers. It wasn’t until 1967 that the first woman, Kathrine Switzer, received a bib number — and that was given in error.
Switzer registered under the name K.V. Switzer, and after race officials discovered they had registered a woman, they tried to bar her from the race. During the event, the race director tried to rip her bib number — 261 — off her shirt, but Switzer’s boyfriend pushed him to the ground, and she continued on and finished the race.
Five years later, the Boston Marathon began accepting women’s entries. Then in 1974, Switzer won the New York City Marathon.
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Switzer went on to become an Emmy-winning television commentator, beginning with the 1984 Olympic marathon, and an author. In 2011, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Switzer launched the global non-profit 261 Fearless with an ambassador program, club training and events. The 261 Fearless organization now has major clubs in 10 U.S. cities and six foreign countries.
Meanwhile, Pat Murphy started a smaller 261 Fearless Club in her hometown of Herbster, Wisconsin.
“The whole philosophy is to welcome women of all backgrounds to fitness,” Murphy said.
Later this month, Murphy will be in Columbus to compete in the Mill Race Marathon, and she’ll be wearing bib No. 261. The marathon will be her 35th over the past decade.
Murphy has been to Columbus a couple of times to visit the architectutral landmarks.
“I’m kind of an architectural nut,” Murphy said. “I thought I’d run and admire the beautiful architectural beauty of Columbus at the same time.”
Now 63 years old, Murphy completed her first marathon when she was 55. Since then, her marathons have included the 2013 Boston Marathon, when she finished a few minutes before the first bomb went off.
Murphy also ran the 2017 Boston Marathon as part of Team 261 Fearless with Switzer and other women from around the world 50 years after Switzer’s history-making run.
“She decided to devote her life to getting women more involved in running,” Murphy said. “She was one of the key players in getting the women’s marathon into the Olympics. She’s still running and still promoting running for women throughout the world.”
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The Sixth Annual Mill Race Marathon, half marathon and 5K will be Sept. 22. The races begin and end on Washington Street just north of downtown Columbus.
Fees are $95 for the marathon, $80 for the half marathon and $30 for the 5K through Sept. 20. At packet pickup on Sept. 21 and 22, it’s $110 for the marathon, $95 for the half marathon and $35 for the 5K.
Registration and other info is available at millracemarathon.com
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