This is going to be an incredible year!
It's the 40th anniversary of women being 'allowed' to run the Boston Marathon, the 40th of Title IX, the 40th of the first ever women's road race.....and the 45th of my first running Boston. PBS is doing a great documentary called MAKERS: Women Who Make America; it will be shown in 2013 but a preview of my interview is available here. Click here, or click on the photo, and check out the site of some truly amazing women. www.makers.com
Also, this just on the BBC! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00p2lmm

From ESPN!

Special Reminder! Kathrine Switzer is an acclaimed speaker who addresses corporations, business conferences, universities and special interest groups with a message that goes far beyond running. Her inspiring, authentic and high-energy delivery of creating success in a difficult environment, turning negatives into opportunities, and fearlessly implementing social and cultural change has made many positive differences in lives and businesses. Please consider her for your next event! Click here for more information.




Kathrine's Calendar of Public Events
Atalanta Sports Promotions Inc.
Kathrine's programs and tips on mental and physical health and fitness
Running and Walking For Women over 40 ..the Road to Sanity and Vanity (St. Martin's Press)
Kathrine's public speaking engagements and  TV commentary
shopping cart kvs blog
Kathrine Switzer will always be best known as the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the first woman to officially enter and run the event. Her entry created an uproar and worldwide notoriety when a race official tried to forcibly remove her from the competition.

Three decades later, the incident continues to capture the public imagination and is, in part, the reason Switzer has dedicated her multi-faceted career to creating opportunities and equal sport status for women.

That career has included creating programs in 27 countries for over 1 million women that led to the inclusion of the women's marathon as an official event in the Olympic Games, changing forever the face of sports, health and opportunities for women around the world.

The "Boston Incident" also inspired Kathrine to become a good athlete: She has run 35 marathons, won the 1974 New York City Marathon, and ran her personal best of 2:51.33 by finishing 2nd in the 1975 Boston Marathon. At the time, this was the 6th best women's marathon time in the world, and 3rd in the U.S.A. More bio!

April, 2012 - My Blog - This is my first blog post in 18 months; my apologies, but the last two years have been among the most amazing of my life. I promise to regale you with some of those past as well as future exploits, but right now, we're gearing up for the Boston Marathon, an event that totally changed my life. And this year, it's my 45th anniversary, and the 40th of women belong 'allowed' to run. Read more: . My blog starts here

Marathon Woman & reviews | Kathrine's calendar | 26.2 Marathon Stories | More bio! | Video | My Blog


At the 2009 Boston Marathon in April, Kathrine Switzer launched the updated soft-cover edition of her memoir, MARATHON WOMAN (pictured above; on right). Her powerful, inspiring, and often funny book has delighted women AND men readers and reviewers everywhere. Except for a few rare copies which are now available at her on-line Marathon Woman shop (shop.marathonwoman.com), the first hardcover edition (pictured above, on left) is sold out.

If you would like signed copes of this and other books by Kathrine, you can order these at shop.marathonwoman.com or you can catch Kathrine and her book at other events listed on the calendar. You can also buy the book at another retail outlet and see Kathrine at an event as she is always happy to see friends and sign books.

Switzer first launched the hardcover edition of MARATHON WOMAN in April, 2007 on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of her first running the Boston Marathon. In April, 2008, MARATHON WOMAN won the Billie Award for journalism for its inspiring portrayal of women in sports. Switzer first changed history in 1967 when she joined the then all-male Boston Marathon and finished, after being attacked by the race director and nearly thrown out. She went on to run 37 marathons, won the New York City Marathon and led the drive to get the women's marathon into the Olympic Games. As a leader, athlete and woman, Switzer continues to inspire people everywhere. She tells her story in MARATHON WOMAN.

MARATHON WOMAN review by Cool Running

Kathrine is often in the "News":

Kathrine Switzer's Schedule for 2012:

  • Jan 27: Wanganui, New Zealand: 50th Anniversary of Peter Snell's world record mile, celebration track meet, Cooks Gardens, 7PM . Kathrine is doing live on-field interviews.
  • Feb 4: Christchurch, New Zealand: 50th Anniversary of Peter Snell's 800 m world record, International Track Meet. Kathrine is doing on-field live interviews. Christ's College, 4PM
  • Feb 24: Silverstream, New Zealand: Hutt Mile Gala Track meet to benefit new track, at St. Patrick's College, 5 PM. I am doing live on-field interviews.
  • Mar 31: Everywhere and anywhere! Against the Wind, virtual 5K to benefit the Dick Beardsley Foundation, See me in the video and register on: http://atw5k.com/
  • Apr 13-16: Boston, MA: Boston Marathon: Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Women Being Official Runners at Boston and my personal 45th anniversary of being the first woman to wear bib numbers in the race, ‘I declare! Charms’ and I are launching a new line of jewelry featuring Marathon Woman and the magic 261-Fearless! -- bib number I wore that fateful day that changed all our history. I'll be at the Seaport World Trade Center Boston Expo at booth #256, the "I declare! Charms" booth: Expo times at booth # 256: Fri. 4/13: 2-5PM; Sat. 4/14: 1-6PM; Sun. 4/15: 1-2PM. Other things: Friday 4/13: 7 PM, the public is invited to hear Kathrine and other '1972 Original Women" at a fund-raiser at Hopkinton High School.
    Sunday 11:15-noon is the traditional public Runners World “Meet the Legends” panel, Boston Public Library, McKin Bldg, Rabb Room. Monday: Doing my 30th broadcast for WBZ-TV!! Tune in, 9:30AM-2PM Click here for Kathrine display ad , www.ideclarecharms.com, www.wbztv.com, www.runnersworld.com, www.bostonmarathon.com
  • Apr 28-29: Allenton, PA: St. Luke's Half Marathon: In the beautiful Lehigh Valley, join me at expo book signing (4/28: 10AM-5PM), appearance at 4/28 Youth Run, pasta dinner speaker (at Allentown Breworks, 812 Hamilton St. Allentown) and at 4/29 race day awards. Info: http://stlukeshalfmarathon.com/
  • May 4-6: Toronto, ONT, Canada: Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon: join me at the expo with my jewelry and books (4/4,10AM-7PM & 4/5, 9AM-4PM at Direct Energy Center, Exhibition Place, 100 Princess Blvd, ) and Sat night 4/5 at the Brunello Pasta Dinner for a special presentation on the history of women in the marathon (6PM, Toronto Hilton, 145 Richmond St. West); this is always one of the best pasta dinners ever. I'll be on the awards stage Sun, 4/6. Info: http://torontomarathon.com
    Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, 100 Princess Blvd.
    Friday 10AM to 7PM
    Saturday 9AM to 5PM
  • May 10 & 11: Prague, Czech Republic: AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) Congress, Kathrine is speaking on Thur 5/10, 2PM; topic-Women's Running (what else?!) Kathrine was a founding member of AIMS in 1982, the only woman in the founding organization. If you are a race director, consider joining this global organization. Info: http://aimsworldrunning.org/
  • May 12 & 13: Berlin, Germany: Avon Women's Run ('Frauenlauf'), 5 & 10K Run. In 1983, Kathrine and race director Horst Milde founded this race which is now the biggest women's running event in Germany-13,000 women. She will run it and also promote her book Marathon Woman, which is now in a German language edition. Info:
  • May TBA: Klagenfurt, Austria: Appearance and Press Conference, details to come.
  • June 1-3: Vienna, Austria: Austrian Women's Run 5 & 10K: This is the biggest women's sports event in continental Europe! 25,000 women will run in the 25th anniversary edition. I'll be at all events, especially promoting the German edition of my book Marathon Woman, and will run the 5K on June 3. Info: www.oesterreichischer-frauenlauf.at/home-pid255
  • June 9: Bern, Switzerland or New York, NY: Either the Bern Women's Run 10K or New York Mini 10K. Details soon.
  • June 22,23,24: Baltimore, MD: Baltimore Women's Classic 5K, the 2nd oldest women's only race in the USA! June 22nd Evening A Welcome Social @ Renaissance Hotel, with Kathrine Switzer; June 23rd Morning EZ Run, Packet Pick Ups, Evening Social with Kathrine Switzer; June 24th Race Day @ Rash Field Baltimore, Special Guest Kathrine Switzer Info: www.baltimorewomensclassic.com
  • June 26: Washington, DC: 40th Anniversary of Title IX, invitation only reception at Newseum. More information TBA.
  • July 6,7,8: Utica, NY: Utica Boilermaker, join me at the Friday volunteer party and on Sat. the kids run, expo talks and Marathon Woman book, shirt, and charm sales. and signings. Expo Hours: Sun 4/8: Tune me in as I help cover the race live on Sunday on WIBX Radio!
  • Aug 4-13: London, England: 2012 London Olympic Games!
  • Aug 29: Grand Prairie, Alberta: Speaking for Grand Prairie runners and the community at large. Info TBA.
  • Sept 14-17: TENATIVE, Los Gatos, CA: 40th Anniversary of Title IX, special appearances; details TBA.
  • Oct 19-21: Syracuse, NY: Empire State Marathon: I'm delighted to return again to the 2nd edition of this race which is in the same town where I began my own marathoning as a university student. I will be at the expo with my books, jewelry and other items to meet and greet (10/19, noon-closing; 10/20, xxxx,), speaking at the pasta dinner (10/20 at 6 PM), and will be at the start and finish for the awards on 10/21. We've started a great tradition; join us! www.empirestatemarathon.com http://www.unynews.com/
  • Nov 2-4: New York City: ING New York City Marathon; I'll be doing the live international TV coverage of the race, appearing at all press conferences and several times at the expo. My expo hours and location TBA. www.nyrr.org
  • Nov 9: Falls Church, VA: Kathrine is speaking at the 50th Anniversary of George C. Marshall High School; celebration at Marriott Fairview Park in Falls Church, 6PM. Info: TBA
  • Nov 16-18: St. Petersburg, FL: Women's Half Marathon; a frenzy of pink fun; I'm at the expo full time on Fri and Sat with books, shirts and charms and running with you on Sunday. www.womenshalfmarathon.com

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Subsequently, careers as a fitness expert, TV broadcaster, writer and public speaker were launched simultaneously, and Kathrine formed her own company, AtAlanta Sports Promotions, Inc. to accommodate her work in many capacities: she is an expert sports marketing and events consultant, creating, promoting and publicizing events that have changed the world or simply enliven an occasion; she also works as a product or company spokesperson, as a TV commentator on running events, as a women's fitness and running authority, as a popular and dynamic public speaker on various subjects, and also as an author (Running and Walking for Women Over 40, St. Martin's press). Please see the "Business" section of this website to find more specifics of her capabilities and availability.

Kathrine Switzer is the recipient of many awards and recognitions, a few of which are listed in the following abbreviated "Life Highlights." What inspires her the most, however, is her continuous involvement in the creation and publicity of events that give women and girls an opportunity in fitness and health, and in the education of the public to the enormous value of the fitness experience for everyone. That, and of course, her husband and her daily run!

Photos from the "Boston Incident":

Then: Hopkinton, Mass., April 19, 1967 - Who says Chivalry is dead? - A girl listed as "K. Switzer of Syracuse" found herself about to be thrown out of normally all-male Boston Marathon today when a husky companion Thomas Miller of Syracuse threw block that tossed race official out of the running instead. Sequence shows Jock Semple, official, moving in to intercept Miss Switzer then being bounced himself by Miller. Photos by Harry Trask of Boston Traveler.
Now: The "Boston Incident" of 1967 was the spark that ignited the woman's running revolution. Kathrine Switzer went on to finish that 1967 Boston Marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes, despite being disqualified by Jock Semple. She was inspired by the incident, however, to go on to run 35 marathons, including 8 Boston Marathons, running a personal best in 1975 in 2 hours, 51 minutes, & winning the 1974 New York City Marathon. She also created the Avon International Running Circuit, a global series of women's running events in 25 countries, involving over one million women, & lead to the inclusion of the women's marathon in the Olympic Games.

Any use of this photo whatsoever must be credited to AP/Wideworld Photo.

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