Kathrine Switzer, the First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon, Recalls Being 'Attacked' During Famous 1967 Race (Exclusive)

Kathrine Switzer Credit: Bettmann NEED TO KNOW Kathrine Switzer faced physical and verbal attacks during the 1967 Boston Marathon, but refused to quit the race Her historic run led to the inclusion of women in the Boston Marathon starting in 1972 Switzer continues to empower women globally through her nonprofit 261 Fearless and celebrates her legacy in running events When Kathrine Switzer stepped up to the start line at the Boston Marathon in 1967, she knew she had done everything she could to train for the moment. The then-20-year-old Switzer, a Syracuse University student, had spent months working alongside cross-country assistant coach Arnie Briggs, logging hundreds of miles in preparation for the big day to prove that she could do it. Nearly 60 years later, ahead of the 2026 Boston Marathon, Switzer caught up with PEOPLE to talk about her experience and share what made her keep going even after she "was attacked in the race.

" While no woman had ever officially run the Boston Marathon, Switzer was determined to be the first. Leading up to the race, Switzer tells PEOPLE she didn't hide the fact that she was a woman. At her coach's advice, she registered for the race and signed up as K.

V. Switzer, the name she had been using since she was 13, inspired by journalists who signed their work with their initials. She paid the entry fee, and on race day, her coach picked up the bibs for everyone in their group.

Despite hoping to wear "really cute maroon shorts" and a matching top, she ultimately had to wear a sweatsuit due to the cold weather and sleet, which she was used to after months of training in Upstate New York. Kathrine Switzer Credit: Paul Connell/The Boston Globe via Getty As she looked down to pin her bib, reality set in when she saw her name, K. V.