Bobbi Gibb- the First Woman to Run the Boston Marathon

We are so privileged to have been born in a generation where women can aspire and do anything they want. It is the ease that makes us ignorant of the fact that someone somewhere fought for these rights. To be able to participate in a marathon is so common for us but there was a time when it was unthinkable not because women were less capable but because rules did not allow for it. Unimaginable, but true.

Bobbi Gubbs, a runner was stopped and not allowed to participate in the Boston Marathon but did the rules stop her? No, they enraged her, and she challenged them by participating again and again. It sparked debate and led to an official marathon race for women. This event is said to have fuelled the second wave of the women’s liberation movement.

Today let’s talk about her. Her courage and her determination to do things uniquely. Bobbi was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Since childhood, she loved running. She said, “I started running as soon as I could walk.” It included her daily running for 8 miles for school. She was accustomed to running long distances at a young age. In 1967 she witnessed the Boston Marathon with her dad. She found the whole scenario of a sea of people running, spectacular. She was hooked. She wanted to run.

Bobbi trained for two years only to find out that women were not allowed to participate. Women were considered to be physiologically weak, and that was a notion that Bobbi was determined to challenge.

Despite facing numerous obstacles and doubters, Bobbi remained steadfast in her commitment to running and in her belief that women were capable of anything they set their minds to. Her bravery and determination helped to change the perception of women’s athletics and laid the groundwork for a new era of female empowerment.

In the year 1966, Bobbi decided to take the unconventional way. She disguised herself as a man and waited behind the bush for the race to start. As soon as half of the participants began, Bobbi joined the race in a hoodie. But soon, her fellow runners found out. She was surprised and delighted to see the positive and supportive response. By the time she reached the finishing line, the whole crowd, women, local media and the Massachusetts governor were there cheering for her. She finished the race in three hours twenty minutes and forty seconds, ahead of the two-thirds of the pack. In 1967 Gibb ran again and finished in three hours and thirty minutes. In 1968, she finished first.

Bobbi Gibb’s story is not just one of athletic achievement, but also social progress. By running the Boston Marathon, she challenged the prevailing beliefs about women’s abilities and opened up new opportunities for female athletes. She was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, paving the way for other women to follow in her footsteps and pursue their passions, regardless of societal expectations.

In 1972, women were finally officially allowed to participate. In 1996 at the 100th anniversary of the Boston Marathon, and the 30th anniversary of Gibb’s first run the Boston Athletic Association Officially recognized her three wins of 1966, 1967, and 1968 and gave her a medal.

Apart from running, Gibb is passionate about other things too. She is a scientific researcher for neurodegenerative diseases, attorney, athlete, author, sculptor, and speaker. She has written three books – “Wind in the Fire”, “To Boston with Love” and “26.2 Essays, a personal journey”. She also sculpted a life-size statue of herself to commemorate 50  years of her Boston Marathon win.

When Bobbi was growing up women were supposed to be passive and their only role was that of a support system. But instead of forgetting her dreams, Bobbi challenged the societal norms and what followed was a change in perception about women’s capabilities. Today, Bobbi Gibb is celebrated as a hero and a role model for women everywhere. Her story serves as a reminder that with hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in oneself, anything is possible.

Bobbi Gibb’s legacy continues to shine as a beacon of hope and courage, reminding us all of the power of perseverance and the importance of breaking down barriers. So girls, let’s borrow this spirit and break the barriers.

Author Nidhi Raj is an independent writing professional, storyteller, and mother with a keen interest in women’s issues and international relations