Kathrine Switzerlandr: The race isn’t over yet

It’s nearly 7:00pm on Sunday, November 6, 2022, and the NYC Marathon has just concluded. On the 36th floor of a building on Columbus Circle in Manhattan, right at the 41st kilometer mark, Team ULTRA riders from all over the world gathered to celebrate the race we ran. Suddenly a thin woman with a big smile on her face walks into the room. She does not go unnoticed by anyone, because she arouses everyone’s admiration. She is a person who has forever marked the history of sport and continues to do so.

With absolute humility he quickly steps forward, takes the initiative and starts congratulating us one by one. Her glassy-eyed gaze is that of a very happy, proud and excited person about what is happening. She embraces us like someone who has known someone for a lifetime, and is genuinely happy to see the medals hanging from each of the runners, as if she had just run. It is no less, because Kathrine Switzer knows very well what a marathon runner feels right now.

He was born in Amberg, Germany on January 5, 1947, although he lived most of his life in the United States. From a very young age she was passionate about sport and began her career as a runner at the age of 12. In April of 1967 he did what a woman had never done before: he put on his bib and ran a marathon. Although it seems incredible today, at that time women could not participate in most sports because they were considered fragile and weak. In this context it was believed not only that they could not complete a race of more than 42 kilometers, but also that these attempts could lead to serious health problems. However, 20-year-old Kathrine made it very clear that she wanted to run the Boston Marathon and – unable to register, as the forms did not accept women – she obtained a lei number by writing her acronym and last name: “KV Switzerland”.

Once in the race, the race director became aware of his presence and tried to remove him violently shouting “I quit my race and give me back the number”, while trying to snatch it. Her coach, partner, and other runners stopped the pushing and shoving, and Kathy was able to continue running. The photos from that moment are now part of the most iconic images in the history of sport.

In several interviews, Kathy has assured that she is willing to finish the race no matter what, as if she didn’t finish it, no one would believe that women can do it: she finally crossed the finish line after 4 hours and 20 minutes. Not only did she hang her finisher medal, but she also showed the world that, far from taboos, false beliefs and stereotypes, women are capable of running a marathon, thus paving the way for the creation of a women’s division in this sport. Such was her success that five years later women were officially allowed to enter and compete in the Boston Marathon.

Since then, Kathy Switzer has inspired all of us who love to run, because her passion and strength are still unstoppable, just as it was in April 1967. There is still a lot to do, and the proof today is the percentage of women and even fewer non-binary people make it to the finish line of the NYC Marathon than men, indicating that there is still a long way to go. That’s why Kathy today is an active part of the “Michelob ULTRA Run Fund”, a Michelob ULTRA initiative that seeks to continue breaking down gender barriers in sport and promote inclusion by financing the cost of participation in the marathon for women and non-binary people since 2023.

55 years ago, Kathy’s marathon was a victory for all women that opened the door to the right to participate in until then ridiculously forbidden activities. That 20-year-old girl with her number 261 started writing a story where there is no place for expressions like “you can’t because you are weak”. That story continues to be written and explains why she is so genuinely excited by every marathon runner. Her sacred fire lives on. In every hug, in every look from her with her glassy eyes, she actually invites us to continue and broaden the path, showing everyone that running is much more than moving your legs. Even with sport we can move the world.

By Leonardo “Colo” Mourglia, marathon runner and journalist