There was a lot of social stigma and women being nervous about exposing their bodies. KS: When I started running, I was the only woman I knew who ran, and it was a matter of overcoming a lot of myths.

Oxygen: What challenges have women faced along the road to the recent running boom? And they’re going in groups with their girlfriends. There are many large ladies who would never go into a mixed race because they feel like people are judging them, but they would do a women’s-only run. They provide an atmosphere of non-intimidation and a lot of fun. Another reason now is the explosion of women’s-only races. It pulls together a sense of accomplishment. Kathrine Switzer: It’s sort of an exponential growth and the reason is simple: running is empowering. Why have so many women decided to jump into the sport? Oxygen: Women now account for more than half of race finishers in the U.S. The iconic photo of the incident became of Time-Life’s “100 Photos That Changed the World.” Switzer’s then-boyfriend, a former All-American football player, body-checked the official off the course. At the 2-mile mark, Switzer was attacked by a race official who didn’t think women should be allowed in the marathon.

Kathrine Switzer, 67, became an instant symbol of the women’s running movement in 1967 after becoming the first officially registered woman to run the Boston Marathon that year. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!

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