Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports

by Kathrine Switzer

Book Overview

Katherine Switzer ran the Boston Marathon in 1967 where she was attacked by one of the event's directors who wanted to eject her from the all-male race. She fought off the director and finished the race. From the childhood events that inspired her to winning the New York City Marathon in 1974, this liberally illustrated book details the struggles and achievements of a pioneering women in sports.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786719672
• ISBN13: 9780786719679
• Release Date: March 2007
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 448 Pages
• Weight: 1.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic read

This was hands down one of the most inspiring running books I've ever read. Kathrine's foresight into the sport of running amazes me - we can thank her not only for bringing the women's marathon to the 1984 Olympic games but also for today's modern marathon "comforts" that didn't exist when she first hit the streets of Boston. I read this while training for a marathon and her story kept me going during those long and painful runs. This book is a must-read for any runner, male or female.

Wonderful work by Wonder Woman

If ever there was a real-life Wonder Woman, it's Kathrine Switzer...whose brave pursuit and promotion of running events have benefitted countless millions who want to similarly express their joy for the sport. This fun-to-read, fascinating autobiography beautifully communicates the voice of its author: enthusiastic, funny, passionate. It's a must-read for marathoners and entertaining for anyone else who's ever shared in the excitement of witnessing and/or participating in a sporting event.

Great Read

This was one of the best "athlete" books I've ever read! This is true particularly because Kathrine Switzer's story will appeal to and regale persons in all walks of life. She communicates her feelings to the general public, not just the running fraternity, in ways that everyone can relate to from heartbreak to euphoria.

Inspirational and compelling

Marathon Woman: Running the Race to Revolutionize Women's Sports I read a good bit both professionally, and for pleasure. Marathon Woman is the absolute best non-fiction book I have ever read. From the moment I picked the book up, I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I simply could not put it down. Ms. Switzer has a very easy reading, conversational style to her writing that makes the reader feel as if she is standing next to you relating an exciting event. What struck me the most about the book is that it is far more than a compelling and interesting story. It is also far more than a running story. Instead it is almost a textbook on responsibility, without the preaching we have all come to expect when that word is used. Traits such as persistance, effort, planning, and doing something because it is the right thing to do, shine throughout the whole book. Yet while readers come to greatly admire the courage of Ms. Switzer, we are also seeing exactly how we can apply the belief that if you want something, are willing to put in the effort, and you stick with it, you are most likely to succeed. It was an inspiring and very enlightening book. I can't want to read her next one!