Kathrine Switzer Celebrates 50 Years Since Historic NYC Marathon Win

October 29, 2024

Celebrating 50 Years of Empowerment: 261 Fearless Raises $110,000 for Global Movement

FNew York, NY—October 29, 2024 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/— Women’s running pioneer Kathrine Switzer celebrates the 50th anniversary of her 1974 win of the New York City Marathon by accepting the NYRR Legacy award. The anniversary marks an important milestone for the nonprofit, 261 Fearless, she co-founded in 2015. 29 members of their 2024 NYC Marathon charity team raised $110,000 to further the organization’s efforts. These funds will directly support the nonprofit’s mission of empowering women globally through education and running, helping women discover their self-worth and potential.

Switzer’s legacy began at the 1967 Boston Marathon when she became the first woman to finish the race with a registered bib. The pivotal moment of the race director attempting to tackle her off the course was captured by reporters catapulting her into the national spotlight. Following her iconic run, Switzer went on to advocate for women’s inclusion in sports while simultaneously continuing her illustrious professional running career. Her 1974 victory at the NYC Marathon in a time of 3:07:29 came at a critical time for women in America—the same year they received the right to apply for credit cards in their own names.

“I ran that race 50 years ago not just to prove women belonged in marathon running, but to show that women belong everywhere,” said Switzer. “Today, through 261 Fearless, we are continuing that legacy, creating communities where women uplift one another, lead fearlessly, and step into their full potential.”

Switzer will be available at public events throughout the 2024 NYC Marathon weekend including:

• Thursday, October 31, 2024
  • 3pm adidas Switzer Meet and Greet: adidas booth, TCS New York City Marathon Expo
    • Signings and selfies with adidas athlete, Kathrine Switzer.
  • 4pm: Fifty Years and Not Done Yet: Citizens’ Stage, TCS New York City Marathon Expo
    • Switzer and author Ali Nolan discuss the THEN of 1974, the NOW of the changes and work that got women to where they are in running, and the FORWARD work and issues that need to be considered to progress wisely and healthily into the future.
  • 5pm: Peloton X NYRR Shakeout Run, TCS New York City Marathon Pavilion, located adjacent to Tavern on the Green off West 67th Street and Central Park West in Manhattan’s Central Park
    • Join the Peloton and NYRR communities for an outdoor shakeout run to prepare for the TCS New York City Marathon. Switzer will make a guest appearance at 6pm. Register here.
• Friday, November 1, 2024
  • 2pm: Fearlessly Forward: Igniting our Next Barrier and Breaking Strategies, Fleet Feet Brooklyn
    • A panel of inspiring women runners presented by adidas, Every Woman’s Marathon, and 261 Fearless. Tickets available here.
  • 7pm: NYRR Night of Champions, Tavern on the Green
    • New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that produces the TCS New York City Marathon and 60 additional adult and youth races annually, will honor running trailblazer Kathrine Switzer and WABC’s Art Moore with its Legacy Award at its NYRR Night of Champion. Tickets available here.
• Saturday, November 2, 2024
  • 8:45am: Abbott Dash to the Finish 5k, Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on First Avenue at East 44th Street
    • Runners will zip through the streets of Midtown Manhattan and finish at the famed marathon finish line in Central Park. Kathrine will be running the 5k.
  • 11am: Fearless 50 Brunch, New York Athletic Club
    • Join Katrine Switzer and the 261 Fearless NYC Marathon team to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her victory at the NYC Marathon. Tickets available here.
• Monday, November 4, 2024
  • 9am: NYRR Beyond the Finish Line, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
    • The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)will host a special celebration for TCS New York City Marathon finishers and their supporters with before-hours access and gallery talks in two exhibitions. Register here.

About Kathrine Switzer:

An Iconic athlete, author, and advocate for sports and social causes, Switzer was the first woman to officially enter and then run the Boston Marathon. Switzer has been honored for her achievements, such as running both the Boston Marathon and the New York Marathon in the same year as her 70^th birthday and for running the Boston Marathon on the 50^th anniversary of her historic run in 1967. Switzer was inducted to the USA National Women’s Hall of Fame where she was recognized for creating positive social change throughout her storied career. She continues today as the co- founder of 261 Fearless which empowers women globally through running. For more information please visit her online at www.kathrineswitzer.com or at www.261fearless.org

About 261 Fearless, Inc.

261 Fearless is a global non-profit using running as a vehicle to empower and unite women through women’s education programs and the creation of local women’s only running clubs. Breaking down the barriers of geography, 261 Fearless Inc. aims to create a safe, global community for women runners of all abilities to support, encourage, and inspire each other toward a positive sense of self and fearlessness. Since 2015, 261 Fearless has created a global network of 261 Fearless running Clubs in 14 countries on five continents where more than 200 certified 261 Fearless Coaches support women to start and continue running.

For more information, please visit, http://www.261fearless.org

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