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Marathon Monday: Boston!

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Today is one of the biggest days of the year in the running community. In its 116th year, the Boston Marathon will deliver an exciting field of runners including the world’s finest elite and top age groupers from near and far.

Though we’re proud that women consistently have a strong showing at the race, we weren’t always allowed to participate. In fact, 2012 marks the 40th anniversary of the legal entry of women in the Boston Marathon. It’s hard to believe that only 40 years ago, women like Joan Benoit Samuelson, Lorraine Moller, and Desiree Davila weren’t permitted to run.

Joan Benoit Samuelson will run the 2012 Boston Marathon to celebrate the 40th anniversary! AP Photo/Stew Mile

The revolution of women entering the Boston Marathon began five years prior to official acceptance. In 1967, Katherine Switzer registered for the race using the name, “K. V. Switzer.” Race officials did not know the “K” stood for Katherine. When they discovered Katherine was running with an official race number, they attempted to remove her from the course. With the help of her boyfriend (who was running with her), Katherine fought back and continued running to finish the race in 4 hours 20 minutes. Five years later, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) decided to allow women to run and the rest is history.

The race director Jock Semple tried unsuccessfully to remove Kathrine from the 1967 Boston Marathon course. AP Photo

Today, we want to thank Katherine and all of the other female runners who’ve continued to show the world how amazing we truly are! Women’s Running magazine will be covering the 2012 race LIVE from the elite women’s lead car. Don’t miss the action from an insider’s view- follow @jessiesebor now!

Many runners have the Boston marathon on their “bucket list” – what race is on yours?  

These Runners Were Not Prepared to Love Non-Alcoholic Beer

L. Renee Blount and Outside TV host Pat Parnell posted up at a popular trailhead, handed out free Athletic Brewing craft non-alcoholic beer, and then recorded runners’ live reactions. Want to find out what all the hype’s about? Click here to discover a world without compromise.

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