Research paper about women's participation in long distance running.

Interesting.

However, I really like the monkey pay per view article. Any day you can write that in a peer reviewed journal is a good day.

Check with your advisor about getting your library to pony up funds--you get to use it, then have have it for future researchers.

I would read The Silence of Great Distance by Frank Murphy. At least a third of the book talks about the history of female distance running and the effects of Title IX. I recommend the book as a great read overall, in addition to being very helpful to your paper.

Grete Weitz would be another great female runner to research. I believe she is older that Joan Benoit Samuelson so she probably faced a lot of adversity on her road to becoming one of the best female runners in the world.

I believe Katherine Switzer wrote a book on running the Boston Marathon and her experience as a female runner when it wasn't socially acceptable for women to exert themselves, so that might provide some good insight.

Paula Radcliffe has certainly changed the face of women's distance running. Even though she is younger than Samueleson and Switzer, and grew up in a post-Title IX world, she is arguably the greatest female distance runner of all time so you could include some of the affects she has had on the running community. For example, promoting women's running and encouraging women to get out and run/compete. As a side note you could look into whether American women's participation in races increased in the year following Joan Benoit's Olympic gold medal or if Paula created similar pattern in the UK following her breakthrough in the sport. You could also look into the general pattern of female participation in marathons and how it has increased over the past few decades.

Also, Paula receives significant appearance fees at major marathons and probably closed the gap of men vs women's compensation. I don't know much about the specifics of numbers, but it would be interesting to see what the discrepancy was 30 years ago between men and women's compensation at major races and how it compares to today. You could look to see if Paula set a precedence for female runners to receive higher compensation.

Good luck with your paper, it's a very interesting topic. Would you be interested in posting it on LetsRun when you finish? I'm sure many people would be interested in learning more about this subject.

Switzer's autobio ("Marathon Woman") is an engaging read and it encapsulates a lot of the changes in that era, many of which she helped to bring about.

Switzer always surprises me in her appearances by focusing on that one event (getting tackled by Jock Semple in the '67 Boston Marathon) and not covering what I think of as her truer contribution to the sport, which was all the work she did with Avon and, later, lobbying the IOC to legitimize women's marathoning and bring it to the Olympics. I guess the Boston race makes for a more colorful story, but the result is that lots of people come away having no clue how central Switzer was to the rise of women's marathoning during the seventies and early eighties.

I'd also recommend Lorraine Moller's excellent autobio ("On The Wings of Mercury") -- not as much a history of women's participation in the sport as Switzer's is, but there are some great anecdotes in there and it will point you to other female runners of the era who were influential (and not American, as are most of the women mentioned in this thread so far).

Lettis's documentary, "Run Like a Girl" was okay, but I thought it lacked narrative focus.

The "true" history is entirely pre Title 9. Focusing on Benoit is totally missing the boat. She rode the crest of the older women's wave. Check out the women's results of all the pre Title 9 Marathons to see the times and the dearth of women with the guts to try it. By the time young Joan had run a marathon lots of women had broken the 26.2 barrier and smoothed the road for her. They were the ground breakers. Likely, you will never give them credit as name focused as you are. Many of them had not seen a Boston Marathon to inspire them and had run in little local events.

If you want it to be easy to write and to induldge your hero worship, then cover the women who benefited from the earlier women's barrior breaking. Just look at the numbers of women qualifying for Boston when it was harder than now. 3:30 was their initial qualifying time. Later it was reduced to 3:20. I recall that about 120 women qualified in 1977 and half that in 1976. It was like the Olympic Trials with no encouragement (only disparagement) from other women and most men. How can 1979 to 1984 be ground breaking? It was the USOC that was breaking by that time!

(1972) 44. Six women compete in the New York City marathon and stage a protest of the ruling that they must start the race 10 minutes ahead of the men. When the time elapses, the women get up and run with the men. The Amateur Athletic Union adds 10 minutes to their finishing times, the women sue and simultaneous start times soon become the rule. (1972)

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Articles/Issues/History/S/Significant-Events-in-Womens-Sports-History-PreTitle-IX-History.aspx

Umm, I don't want to get 'name happy' but the winner of that race Nina Kuscsik (part of the sit down, I think) has already been put on the list. If you have someone else that you think needs recognition as a ground breaker in this race, put the name up. The OP wanted people to highlight his story, not events.

ML wrote:

(1972) 44. Six women compete in the New York City marathon and stage a protest of the ruling that they must start the race 10 minutes ahead of the men. When the time elapses, the women get up and run with the men. The Amateur Athletic Union adds 10 minutes to their finishing times, the women sue and simultaneous start times soon become the rule. (1972)

http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/Content/Articles/Issues/History/S/Significant-Events-in-Womens-Sports-History-PreTitle-IX-History.aspx

World Marathon Rankings for 1977

Women

2:34:47.5 (1) Christa Vahlensieck (GER) 27 May 1949 10 Sep 1977 Berlin GER

2:35:15.4 (1) Chantal Langlacé (FRA) 06 Jan 1955 01 May 1977 Oyarzun ESP

2:37:57 (1) Kim Merritt (WI/USA) 22 May 1955 11 Sep 1977 Eugene OR USA

2:38:09.4 (2) Manuela Angenvoorth (GER) 27 Aug 1946 10 Sep 1977 Berlin GER

2:40:49 (1) Christa Vahlensieck- 2 27 May 1949 23 Apr 1977 Rodenbach GER

2:45:15 (1) Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR) 21 Mar 1956 23 Oct 1977 Trondheim NOR

2:46:34 (1) Leal-Ann Reinhart (USA) 11 Oct 1947 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:46:54a (1) Sue Kinsey (CA/USA) 05 Oct 1953 10 Dec 1977 Scottsdale AZ USA

2:47:16 (1) Beverley Shingles (NZL) 25 Jul 1940 22 Oct 1977 Hamilton NZL

2:47:20 (1) Patti Catalano (VT/USA) 06 Apr 1953 30 Oct 1977 Providence RI USA

10

2:48:07.6 (1) Cindy Dalrymple (VA/USA) 05 Mar 1942 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

2:48:33a (1) Michiko Gorman (CA/USA) 09 Aug 1935 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

2:48:34 (2) Gayle Barron (GA/USA) 06 Apr 1945 11 Sep 1977 Eugene OR USA

2:48:59 (1) Sarolta Monspart (HUN) 14 Nov 1944 30 Oct 1977 Budapest HUN

2:49:11 (2) Cindy Dalrymple- 2 05 Mar 1942 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:50:22 (3) Nina Kuscsik (NY/USA) 02 Jan 1939 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:50:34 (1) Katherine Jewell (CA/USA) 28 Jun 1957 26 Jun 1977 Lompoc CA USA

2:50:44 (4) Judy Leydig (CA/USA) 01 Apr 1951 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:50:47 (1) Dorothy Doolittle (TX/USA) 17 Oct 1946 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

2:50:48 (5) Jill Hanson (USA) 11 Jan 1952 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

20

2:50:53 (1) Jacqueline Hansen (CA/USA) 20 Nov 1948 04 Dec 1977 Culver City CA USA

2:51:12a (2) Marilyn Bevans (MD/USA) 04 Oct 1959 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

2:51:13 (1) Lisa Lorrain (USA) 28 Mar 1955 05 Feb 1977 Columbia SC USA

2:51:18 (1) Marilyn Bevans-2 04 Oct 1959 04 Dec 1977 Baltimore MD USA

2:51:18.9 (2) Gayle Barron- 2 06 Apr 1945 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

2:51:41 (1) Annick Loir (FRA) 13 Jan 1958 16 Apr 1977 Creil FRA

2:51:49 (6) Diane Barrett (AZ/USA) 16 Jan 1961 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:51:54 (1) Marjorie Tennyson-Podgajny (PA/USA) 07 May 1953 Feb 1977 State College PA USA

2:52:06 (7) Tena Harms (CA/USA) 03 Oct 1956 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:52:19 (1) Manuela Angenvoorth- 2 27 Aug 1946 09 Jul 1977 Milton Keynes ENG

30

2:52:37 (1) Phyllis Hines (TN/USA) 23 Sep 1961 17 Dec 1977 Huntsville AL USA

2:53:07 (3) Deborah Anderson (USA) 17 Oct 1948 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

2:53:20 (1) Tena Harms- 2 03 Oct 1956 10 Jul 1977 San Francisco CA USA

2:53:38 (3) Sue Petersen (CA/USA) 06 Sep 1944 11 Sep 1977 Eugene OR USA

2:53:49 (1) Judy Leydig- 2 01 Apr 1951 13 Feb 1977 San Mateo CA USA

2:54:04 (1) Susan Mallery (OH/USA) 1954 06 Nov 1977 Washington DC USA

2:54:13 (1) Jane Killion (NY/USA) 14 Jan 1949 26 Dec 1977 Miami FL USA

2:54:23 (1) Silvana Cruciata (ITA) 15 Feb 1953 06 Jan 1977 Monza ITA

2:54:22.2 (4) Nina Kuscsik- 2 02 Jan 1939 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

2:54:34 (2) Lisa Matovcik (USA) 18 Jun 1955 04 Dec 1977 Baltimore MD USA

40

2:54:56 (2) Marilyn Bevans- 3 04 Oct 1959 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

2:55:09.5 (3) Gisela Schneider (GER) 02 Sep 1952 10 Sep 1977 Berlin GER

2:55:12a (1) Anita Ayers (IA/USA) 13 Aug 1977 Hurley WI USA

2:55:15 (4) Lisa Lorrain-2 28 Mar 1955 11 Sep 1977 Eugene OR USA

2:55:24 (8) Penny DeMoss (CA/USA) 04 Jan 1950 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:55:34a (1) Irene Griffith (WA/USA) 11 Apr 1960 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

2:55:40 (10) Marie Albert (CA/USA) 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:55:40 ( ) June Chun (HI/USA) 1959 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

2:55:59 (1) Ann Forshee (MI/USA) 1957 23 Oct 1977 Detroit MI USA

2:56:04a (3) Lisa Lorrain-3 28 Mar 1955 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

50

2:56:07 (1) Sue Petersen- 2 06 Sep 1944 16 Oct 1977 Santa Barbara CA USA

2:56:12.5 (4) Ursula Blaschke (GER) 30 May 1932 10 Sep 1977 Berlin GER

2:56:22 (1) Tena Harms- 3 03 Oct 1956 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

2:56:26 (1) Gerda Reinke (GER) 16 Dec 1938 29 Oct 1977 Essen GER

2:56:30 (2) Sue Petersen- 3 06 Sep 1944 26 Jun 1977 Lompoc CA USA

2:56:55 (1) Marianne Pugh (TX/USA) 03 Dec 1977 Dallas TX USA

2:56:58 (2) Penny DeMoss- 2 04 Jan 1950 03 Dec 1977 Dallas TX USA

2:57:00 (1) Sue Petersen- 4 06 Sep 1944 28 Aug 1977 Santa Monica CA USA

2:57:05 (1) Michiko Gorman- 2 09 Aug 1935 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

2:57:09a (4) Gayle Olinekova (CAN) 03 Mar 1953 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

60

2:57:23 (1) Gabriele Andersen (ID/SUI) 20 Mar 1945 26 Nov 1977 Seattle WA USA

2:57:41 (1) Mary Burns (CA/USA) 09 Sep 1957 30 Apr 1977 Des Moines IA USA

2:57:44 (1) Gillian Horovitz (MA/ENG) 07 Jun 1955 09 Oct 1977 Philadelphia PA USA

2:57:48 (11) Janice Arenz (MN/USA) 24 May 1950 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:57:55a (1) Sue Petersen- 5 06 Sep 1944 11 Jun 1977 Palos Verdes Estates CA USA

2:58:03 (12) Mary Bange (WI/USA) 27 Oct 1952 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:58:04 (1) Gisela Schneider- 2 02 Sep 1952 24 Apr 1977 Porz GER

2:58:06 (13) Sue Krenn (CA/USA) 20 Feb 1950 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:58:09 (1) Marianne Pugh- 2 Oct 1977 Crowley LA USA

2:58:17 (14) Joan Ullyot (CA/USA) 01 Jul 1940 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

70

2:58:26 (1) Liane Winter (GER) 24 Jun 1942 17 Jun 1977 Daverden GER

2:58:28 (1) Judy Mielke (CA/USA) 1949 30 Jan 1977 Orange CA USA

2:58:29 (5) Joan Ullyot-2 01 Jul 1940 11 Sep 1977 Eugene OR USA

2:58:31 (1) Sue Petersen- 6 06 Sep 1944 15 May 1977 Irvine CA USA

2:58:41 (15) Jennie Tuthill (MT/USA) 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

2:58:46.5 (5) Jutta vonHaase (GER) 21 Dec 1939 10 Sep 1977 Berlin GER

2:58:46.8 (2) Lotte Witte (GER) 23 Sep 1937 23 Apr 1977 Rodenbach GER

2:58:47 (2) Martha Cooksey (MO/USA) 18 Jul 1954 16 Oct 1977 Santa Barbara CA USA

2:58:50 (2) Louise Adamson (CAN) 20 May 1949 13 Feb 1977 San Mateo CA USA

2:58:53 (3) Lynn Johnson (SD/USA) 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

80

2:58:53 (4) Cheryl Flanagan (MI/USA) 25 Dec 1947 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

2:59:00 (1) Jean Ohly (IL/USA) 05 Mar 1977 Galveston TX USA

2:59:05a (5) Lisa Matovcik (USA) 18 Jun 1955 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

2:59:10a (1) Nancy Mieszczak (NY/USA) 01 Feb 1949 17 Sep 1977 Lake Placid NY USA

2:59:14 (1) Penny DeMoss- 3 04 Jan 1950 16 Jan 1977 Saratoga CA USA

2:59:14 (1) Edith Schneider- 2 30 Jul 1939 24 Apr 1977 Porz GER

2:59:39 (2) Eleonora deMendonca (BRA) 13 Nov 1948 30 Oct 1977 Providence RI USA

2:59:43 (2) Sue Petersen- 7 06 Sep 1944 30 Jan 1977 Orange CA USA

2:59:49 (1) Tessie Bell (AUS) 06 Aug 1977 Cressy AUS

2:59:53 (2) Susan Rossiter-Henderson (OR/USA) 16 Oct 1946 26 Nov 1977 Seattle WA USA

90

3:00:01 (3) Marie Albert- 2 30 Jan 1977 Orange CA USA

3:00:11a (1) Susan Kahler (NY/USA) 1954 22 Oct 1977 Niagara Falls CAN

3:00:31 (2) Liane Winter-2 24 Jun 1942 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:00:34 (1) Dorothy Doolittle- 2 17 Oct 1946 22 Jan 1977 Houston TX USA

3:00:36 (1) Lavinia Petrie (AUS) 13 Sep 1943 12 Jun 1977 Tyabb AUS

3:00:49 (1) Lotte Witte-2 1937 1977 Achern GER

3:00:52 (3) Deborah Anderson- 2 17 Oct 1948 16 Oct 1977 Santa Barbara CA USA

3:01:02 (2) Jean Abare (CA/USA) 28 Aug 1977 Santa Monica CA USA

3:01:03 (1) Susan Mallory (OH/USA) 1954 Oct 1977 Monroe OH USA

3:01:15 (1) Marilyn Taylor (CA/USA) 04 Nov 1952 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

100

3:01:17a (6) Ann Forshee- 2 1957 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

3:01:35 (3) Judy Mielke- 2 1949 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

3:01:35 (2) Katherine Jewell-2 28 Jun 1957 04 Dec 1977 Culver City CA USA

3:01:45a (7) Joan Ullyot- 3 01 Jul 1940 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

3:01:45 (1) Jean Chodnicki (NJ/USA) 23 Jun 1959 04 Dec 1977 Asbury Park NJ USA

3:01:54.2 (3) Anni Horn (GER) 1941 23 Apr 1977 Rodenbach GER

3:01:59 (16) Marilyn Taylor- 2 04 Nov 1952 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

3:02:08 (6) Meg Gordon (CAN) 11 Sep 1977 Eugene OR USA

3:02:14 (1) Rosemary Cox (GBR) 12 Apr 1955 22 Oct 1977 Harlow ENG

3:02:22 (1) Joann McKinty-Heale (CAN) 01 May 1977 Ottawa ON CAN

110

3:02:35a (2) Penny DeMoss- 4 04 Jan 1950 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

3:02:38a (1) Zehava Shmueli (ISR) 19 May 1955 31 Dec 1977 Tiberias ISR

3:02:41a (1) Cindy Dalrymple- 3 05 Mar 1942 Mar 1977 Kaanapali HI USA

3:02:42 (1) Ursula Miehe (GER) 04 Oct 1941 1977 Dulmen GER

3:02:45 (3) Pam Firestone (CA/USA) 28 Aug 1977 Santa Monica CA USA

3:02:47 (1) Mary Burns- 2 09 Sep 1957 Nov 1977 Iowa City IA USA

3:03:04 (3) Ursula Blaschke (GER) 30 May 1932 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:03:05 (1) Cindy Therriault (USA) May 1977 Milwaukee WI USA

3:03:09 (1) Liane Winter- 3 24 Jun 1942 09 Oct 1977 Bräunlingen GER

3:03:31 (1) Celia Peterson (IN/USA) 18 Feb 1960 Jul 1977 Fort Wayne IN USA

120

3:03:33 (1) Sally Edwards (CA/USA) 02 Oct 1977 Sacramento CA USA

3:03:57a (8) Penny DeMoss- 5 04 Jan 1950 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

3:03:59 (1) Janice Arenz- 2 24 May 1950 Feb 1977 Saint Louis MO USA

3:04:10a (9) Jennifer White (USA) 14 Mar 1954 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

3:04:10 (1) Linda Thompson (AUS) 17 Sep 1977 Rotherham ENG

3:04:15 (2) Karen Rosenblatt (CA/USA) 1954 02 Oct 1977 Sacramento CA USA

3:04:33 (3) Kelly Redman 26 Nov 1977 Seattle WA USA

3:04:36 (1) Margrit Meyer (SUI) 1946 23 Oct 1977 Neuf Brisach FRA

3:04:38 (3) Debbie Koffel (OR/USA) 10 May 1964 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

3:04:43 (1) Lynae Larson (SD/USA) 06 Nov 1977 Brookings SD USA

130

3:04:47a (10) Sally Sullivan (CT/USA) 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

3:04:58 (2) Sue Krenn- 2 20 Feb 1950 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:05:08a (11) Sue Petersen- 8 06 Sep 1944 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

3:05:14 (1) Alli Kolehmainen (FIN) 1945 09 Oct 1977 Oulu FIN

3:05:18 (3) Karen Rosenblatt-2 1954 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:05:20 (4) Toshiko D'Elia (NJ/USA) 02 Jan 1930 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:05:54 (3) Irene Schneider (GER) 1935 29 Oct 1977 Essen GER

3:05:57 (1) Leslie Watson (SCO) 04 Feb 1948 04 Dec 1977 Barnsley ENG

3:06:09 (1) Susan Kahler- 2 1954 06 Aug 1977 Toronto ON CAN

3:06:12 (1) Peggy Lyman (CA/USA) 30 Mar 1947 30 Oct 1977 Rohnert Park CA USA

140

3:06:16 ( ) Joan Ullyot-4 01 Jul 1940 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

3:06:25 (2) Diane Vinet (CAN) 01 May 1977 Ottawa ON CAN

3:06:25 (17) Judy Lutter (MN/USA) 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

3:06:32 (1) Marianne Thurn (GER) 1944 17 Sep 1977 Münich GER

3:06:50 (1) Carol Gieg (USA) Oct 1977 Hanover NH USA

3:07:00 (3) Jeannie Kayser-Jones (CA/USA) 1936 13 Feb 1977 San Mateo CA USA

3:07:00 (1) Ann Forshee- 3 1957 Feb 1977 Belsville MD USA

3:07:01 (1) Susan Kahler-3 1954 May 1977 Liverpool NY USA

3:07:01 (1) Christel Heine (GER) 21 Jul 1948 29 May 1977 Springe GER

3:07:05a (17) Eleonora deMendonca- 2 13 Nov 1948 18 Apr 1977 Boston MA USA

150

3:07:27 (1) Robin Bondy (USA) 26 Nov 1977 Portland OR USA

3:07:38 (1) Saara Rappi (FIN) 16 Mar 1937 24 Sep 1977 Lammi FIN

3:07:55 (3) Caron Schaumberg (CA/USA) 1941 02 Oct 1977 Sacramento CA USA

3:08:00 (1) Irene Schneider- 2 1935 1977 Stammelen GER

3:08:02 (4) Sue Petersen- 9 06 Sep 1944 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

3:08:39 (4) Gretel Meschede (GER) 1942 24 Apr 1977 Porz GER

3:08:46 (1) Josette Sommier (FRA) 1935 11 Aug 1977 Beuvrages FRA

3:08:53 (5) Regina Schiek (GER 09 Jun 1936 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:09:05 (5) Pam Firestone (CA/USA) 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

3:09:13 (1) Barbara Paterson (CA/USA) 05 Nov 1977 Saint George UT USA

160

3:09:21 (1) Joan Hurt (USA) 05 Sep 1977 Columbia MO USA

3:09:31 (1) Merill Cray (CA/USA) 05 Mar 1977 Chico CA USA

3:09:42 (1) Carolyn Clark (USA) 16 Jan 1977 New Jersey NJ USA

3:09:42 (2) Irene Rudolf (CA/USA) 26 Jan 1942 30 Oct 1977 Rohnert Park CA USA

3:09:43 (1) Carolyn Clark-2 Mar 1977 Pittsburgh PA USA

3:09:44 (4) Ruth Anderson (CA/USA) 27 Jul 1929 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:09:54 (18) Ruth Anderson- 2 27 Jul 1929 23 Oct 1977 Minneapolis MN USA

3:10:07 (1) Gillian Horovitz- 2 07 Jun 1955 26 Apr 1977 Philadelphia PA USA

3:10:11 (1) Aira Saareka (FIN) 05 Jan 1950 23 Oct 1977 Korso FIN

3:10:26 (1) Joan Ullyot- 5 01 Jul 1940 04 Sep 1977 Reno NV USA

170

3:10:26.8 (1) Angelika Brandt (GER) 15 Aug 1951 10 Sep 1977 Berlin GER

3:10:28 Anne Wardlaw 22 Oct 1977 Niagara Falls ON CAN

3:10:34 (4) Paulette Halel (USA) 16 Oct 1977 Santa Barbara CA USA

3:10:36 (1) Karen Saunders (USA) Mar 1977 Middletown CT USA

3:10:37 (5) Penny DeMoss- 6 04 Jan 1950 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

3:10:52 (1) Sue Petersen- 10 06 Sep 1944 05 Mar 1977 Los Alamitos CA USA

3:11:04 (6) Ellen O'Malley (IL/USA) 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

3:11:07 (4) Pan Bast (CA/USA) 13 Feb 1977 San Mateo CA USA

3:11:10 (1) Tracy Sigler (FL/USA) 12 Feb 1977 New Orleans LA USA

3:11:17 (1) Patricia Day (GBR) 13 May 1938 20 Aug 1977 Newport WAL

180

3:11:23 (1) Edith Holdener (SUI) 1932 07 May 1977 Bienne SUI

3:11:29 (1) Sonja Granqvist (SWE) 03 Nov 1929 23 Jul 1977 Pietarsaari FIN

3:11:38 (3) Vicki Blankenship (CA/USA) 1944 30 Oct 1977 Rohnert Park CA USA

3:12:03 (1) Carmen Hirsch (GER) 1956 19 Feb 1977 Husum GER

3:12:20 (2) Daniele Faur-Riou (FRA) 1946 23 Oct 1977 Neuf Brisach FRA

3:12:44 (2) Suzanne Mack (GER) 1957 17 Sep 1977 Munich GER

3:12:47 (6) Donna Gookin (CA/USA) 12 Oct 1936 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:12:52 (3) Marylin Atkinson 01 May 1977 Ottawa ON CAN

3:12:57 (4) Lisa Mullins (OR/USA) 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

3:13:00.7 (2) Rangnhild Boigner (GER) 1953 16 Oct 1977 Hamburg GER

190

3:13:01 (1) Donna Senzig (USA) Oct 1977 New Glarus WI USA

3:13:02 (1) Cathy Fox (KY/USA) Nov 1977 Louisville KY USA

3:13:11 (5) Karen Diekmeyer (CA/USA) 1940 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:13:17 (1) Nina Kuscsik- 3 02 Jan 1939 22 May 1977 Yonkers NY USA

3:13:22 (4) Diane Palmason (CAN) 15 Mar 1938 01 May 1977 Ottawa ON CAN

3:13:37 (1) Alexa Kraft (MI/USA) Mar 1977 West Bloomfield MI USA

3:13:40 (1) Barbara Anton (USA) 25 Jul 1977 Salt Lake City UT USA

3:14:07 (1) Anne Blasco (PA/USA) 1959 06 Nov 1977 Harrisburg PA USA

3:14:07 (1) Gunilla Rehnström (SWE) 04 Jan 1948 20 Nov 1977 Väckelsång SWE

3:14:09 (7) Sue Ellen Trapp (FL/USA) 03 Mar 1946 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

200

3:14:23 (5) Mary Hanlon (OR/USA) 27 Mar 1962 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

3:14:26 (6) Marijana Marie (CA/USA) 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

3:14:28 (1) Nancy Parker (GA/USA) Nov 1977 Pine Mountain GA USA

3:14:31 (1) Saara Rappi-2 16 Mar 1937 28 May 1977 Seinäjoki FIN

3:14:32 (1) Meg Gordon-2 28 May 1977 Vancouver CAN

3:14:32 (1) Ruth Anderson- 3 27 Jul 1929 10 Dec 1977 Livermore CA USA

3:14:39 (1) Kitty Consolo (OH/USA) 16 Apr 1957 Jun 1977 Toledo OH USA

3:14:49 (1) Tammie Gilpin (USA) May 1977 Wichita KS USA

3:14:54 (1) Marianne Pugh- 3 26 Mar 1977 Tulsa OK USA

3:15:10 (1) Sarah Applegate (OH/USA) 10 Sep 1977 Erie PA USA

210

3:15:10 (5) Sandra Kiddy (CA/USA) 27 Nov 1936 16 Oct 1977 Santa Barbara CA USA

3:15:18 (6) Vicki Blankenship-2 1944 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:15:20 (7) Ruth Anderson-4 27 Jul 1929 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:15:31 (8) Mary Burns- 3 09 Sep 1957 25 Sep 1977 Chicago IL USA

3:15:33 (4) Candy Hearn (CA/USA) 02 Oct 1977 Sacramento CA USA

3:15:36 (2) Patricia Day- 2 13 May 1938 09 Jul 1977 Milton Keynes ENG

3:15:51 (4) Caron Schaumberg- 2 1941 30 Oct 1977 Rohnert Park CA USA

3:15:55 (1) Kelly Hiatt (USA) 07 Aug 1977 Omaha NE USA

3:16:13 (7) Eileen Burger (CA/USA) 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

3:16:20 (6) Candy Puterbaugh (CA/USA) 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

220

3:16:21 (3) Linda Thompson- 3 09 Jul 1977 Milton Keynes ENG

3:16:25 (7) Jennifer Danile (OR/USA) 26 Feb 1977 Seaside OR USA

3:16:26 (1) Ulla Seger (SWE) 17 Sep 1930 18 Sep 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:17:07 (4) Linnea Boman (CA/USA) 30 Jan 1977 Orange CA USA

3:17:09 (1) Jill Hall (USA) Nov 1977 Snow Hill TN USA

3:17:24 (2) Eleanor Thomas (CAN) 06 Aug 1977 Toronto ON CAN

3:17:26 (1) Jean Schwab (USA) 1959 Dec 1977 Ridgefield CT USA

3:17:28 (2) Caron Schaumberg- 3 1941 10 Dec 1977 Livermore CA USA

3:17:36 (5) Jacqui Kellough 01 May 1977 Ottawa ON CAN

3:17:45 (5) Joan Ullyot- 6 01 Jul 1940 02 Oct 1977 Sacramento CA USA

230

3:17:59 (2) Marja Wright (USA) 23 Oct 1977 Detroit MI USA

3:18:13 (1) Mary Johnson (USA) Dec 1977 Topeka KS USA

3:18:14 (1) Marge Loewer (SC/USA) 03 Dec 1977 Charlotte NC USA

3:18:18 (7) Sandy Garwood (CA/USA) 1947 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:18:42 (2) Sally Edwards (CA/USA) 05 Mar 1977 Chico CA USA

3:18:48 (8) Margaret Miller (CA/USA) 12 Dec 1925 15 Jan 1977 San Diego CA USA

3:19:11 (6) Ruth Anderson- 5 27 Jul 1929 10 Jul 1977 San Francisco CA USA

3:19:15 (1) Charlene Soby (IL/USA) 10 Dec 1950 Nov 1977 Bloomington IN USA

3:19:30a (1) Nancy Mieszczak- 2 01 Feb 1949 21 May 1977 Plattsburgh NY USA

3:19:32 (3) Caron Schaumberg- 4 1941 05 Mar 1977 Chico CA USA

240

3:19:37 (4) Elaine Miller (CA/USA) 1947 10 Dec 1977 Livermore CA USA

3:19:39 (8) Josette Sommler (FRA) 1935 13 Aug 1977 Göteborg SWE

3:19:52 (2) Arleen Mears (CA/USA) 1956 16 Jan 1977 Cupertino CA USA

3:19:53 (8) Arleen Mears-2 1956 01 May 1977 Weott CA USA

3:19:57 ( ) Irene Rudolf-2 26 Jan 1942 11 Dec 1977 Honolulu HI USA

3:19:58 (4) Leslie Watson- 2 04 Feb 1948 22 Oct 1977 Harlow ENG

Short Course (measurements on subsequent course were 150 m short, this course probably short as well)

2:43:10.0a (1) Michiko Gorman (CA/USA) 09 Aug 1935 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:46:03.1a (2) Kim Merritt (WI/USA) 22 May 1955 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:52:20a (3) Gayle Barron (GA/USA) 06 Apr 1945 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:52:32.7a (4) Lauri Pedrinan (NY/USA) 17 Oct 1952 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:55:03a (5) Lisa Matovcik (USA) 18 Jun 1955 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:56:08.7a (6) Wilma Rudolf (NY/USA) 26 Feb 1945 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:56:22a (7) Jane Killion (NY/USA) 14 Jan 1949 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

2:58:51a (8) Lyn Billington (GBR) 15 Jan 1945 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

3:00:12a (9) Nicki Hobson (CA/USA) 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

3:02:46a (10) Gale Jones (CT/USA) 23 Oct 1977 New York NY USA

Have you considered writing about the lobbying effort that Kathrine (and Avon) did of the IOC to get a women's Olympic marathon?

ML is correct. Joan Benoit started running post title IX. You are totally missed the gender inequality era in the sport with her. "The Silence of Great Distance" is a great book, which reveals alot about the dark side of the sport that still exists today, but isn't talked about much. An interesting angle to consider might be to talk with Shalane Flanagan's mom, Cheryl Treworgy (formerly Cheryl Bridges), who was an early pioneer in the sport and then raised a daughter who became an Olympic medalist. Her website is www.prettysporty.com.

asdfgdg wrote:

Hey, like the title says i am writing a reasearch paper on ground breakers in womens long distance running. For the moment i am only focusing on Katherine Switzer and Joan Benoit Samuelson. The research paper is supposed to fall under the broad catagory of gender disparity in sport and how it wasa overcome.

I was wondering if anyone on letsrun would give me some insight on these two women i might not get from a library database, or at least point me in the right direction.

also if anyone has any insight into other noteworthy groundbreakers in womens long distance running i would appreciate the input.

I believe you are doing a report... not research. Research is the act of collecting, analyzing, and publishing peer reviewed data for the purpose of satisfying a hypothesis/theory. You, sir, are merely collecting information.

The best thing about women's participation in distance running is the decrease in cellulite amongst the participants.

That was a helpful contribution.

asdfgdg wrote:...if anyone has any insight into other noteworthy groundbreakers in womens long distance running i would appreciate the input.