International Women’s Day marks an important moment for women in running and all other sports. It’s a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Every year, the day is honoured on March 8 with the purpose to provide a platform to help create positive change for women. It is also a day fo the global sports community to once again ask itself what more it can do to help advance gender equality in sport. 

With more women’s sport now being televised, this gives more opportunities for women to discover their own role models and to be inspired to become the next generation of female athletes. Things are definitely changing for the better, but there are still old fashioned stigmatism’s surrounding women in sport. Here’s a look at how women made history in the running world and the bullshit they’ve had to put up with - rather than changing for the rules, changing the rules. 

1896

The modern Olympics are founded but women aren’t allowed to compete. The day after the men’s only marathon in Athens, Greek woman Stamata Revithi ran the marathon course on her own. 

1926

Londoner Violet Piercy becomes the first woman to run a marathon recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations, finishing in 3:40:22.

1928

The Olympic Games opens five track and field events to women. Following false reports of many women collapsing after the 800m, the International Olympic Committee bans women from running more than 200m.

1954

Diane Leather from Staffordshire becomes the first woman to run a mile in under five minutes in 4:59:23. Diane would then go on to break her own record again by 15 seconds the next year. 

1960

For the first time since 1928, women are allowed to compete in the 800m, in the Rome Olympics. Lyudmila Lysenko from the Soviet Union wins in 2:04.50.

1967

Katherine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. While racing, Katherine was repeatedly assaulted by race manger Jock Semple who attempted to grab her bib number to stop her competing. Until he was knocked to the ground by other runners. But it was not until 1972, the Boston Marathon established an official women’s race. 

1972

Six women are allowed to run the New York City marathon on the condition they start 10 minutes before the men. At the gun, they rightfully sit down in protest.

1984

The first Olympic women’s marathon is held at the LA Games. Joan Benoit wins in 2:24.52.

2003

Paula Radcliffe runs the London Marathon in 2:15:25, a record that stood for 16 years until broken by Brigid Kosgei in 2019 in a time of 2:14:04.

2012

At the London Olympic Games, 19-year-old Sarah Attar became the first woman from Saudi Arabia to compete in an Olympic track and field event.

2020

Peres Jepchirchir set the women’s world record at the Half Marathon World Championships in 1:05:16. That same race, six women ran under 66 minutes - an unparalleled group performance.

Outdated attitudes remain widespread across sports, with women athletes still often needing to speak up to effect change in their careers. While we celebrate the amazing achievements of women in running, these issues go deeper than sport. A reminder that while much progress has been made, the reasons for International Women’s Day remain as valid as ever. 

Have a look at our recap of Japan Olympic team member Mao Ichiyama winning the Women’s Osaka Marathon, in a course record of 2:21:11.