Kathrine Switzer, a 75 year old woman still runs an amazing 40 miles per week! according to CBS News’ Dana Jacobson. She tells the reporter that “running is not just something she does, it has been a part of her since she was just 12 years old. I began running every day and it gave me such a sense of empowerment. I felt like I had a victory under my belt every day nobody could take away from me,” said Switzer. In 1959, when she began running, women running was a rarity. Switzer was warned by friends, family, and doctors that running was dangerous for women. However, her love for running soon put her in the spotlight at just 20 years old, she ran the Boston Marathon at a time when women were not allowed to run in the event. When she was spotted in the race by an official he attempted to grab her number but was prevented by her boyfriend. “If I don’t finish this race, nobody’s gonna believe women can do it. So I decided to finish the race and that changed my life,” she said. In 1972 women were allowed to enter the Boston Marathon, largely because of women like Switzer being brave enough to show off their abilities even when others did not want them to.
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