Icons of the Women's Running Movement – Part 1

What seems natural today wasn't always so: women participating in running events once had to overcome many obstacles. For the 40th anniversary of the VITAMIN WELL Women’s Race Berlin on May 17, we reflect on this evolution—and pay tribute to the strength and pioneering spirit of the women who fought for it. We’d like to introduce you to some of these remarkable role models.

Kathrine Switzer (USA/1947) – A Global Symbol of Change

^{Kathrine Switzer in 1967, when an attempt was made to remove her from the race. © unbekannt}

Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon with a bib number (261) in 1967. During the race, she was attacked by the race director, which caused global uproar. Undeterred, she kept running and finished the race. From then on, the American athlete became a passionate advocate for gender equality in running and played a key role in getting the women's marathon included in the Olympic program in 1984. That same year, she and Horst Milde launched the first women’s run in Berlin.

“If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”

Switzer co-founded the global women’s running network 261 Fearless, which provides running and education opportunities for women in 14 countries. She won the New York City Marathon in 1974 and ran the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON in 2011.

Roberta Louise “Bobbi” Gibb (USA/1942)

“I ran the marathon for love. For the love of running.”

In 1966, Bobbi Gibb became the first woman to complete the Boston Marathon—albeit without an official bib number. Her participation is considered a milestone in women's distance running. Although women were not officially allowed to compete until 1972, Gibb is now recognized as the unofficial winner of the 1966, 1967, and 1968 races. She is a trained sculptor and holds a PhD in neuroscience.

Christa Vahlensieck (GER/1949) – A German Trailblazer

“The kids were against me doing something for myself. But when I run, I feel free—it helps me relax from family life.”

^{Christa Vahlensieck 1997 in Berlin. © Sportmuseum Berlin}

Christa Vahlensieck is considered a leading figure in the early days of the women's marathon in West Germany. In 1973, she won the first marathon held exclusively for women in Waldniel. Two years later, she became the first West German marathon champion—followed by a total of 18 national titles. In 1975, she set a new marathon world record with a time of 2:40:16 hours, and improved it again in 1977 at the BERLIN-MARATHON with 2:34:48 hours. That same year, she also set world records in the one-hour run, the 10,000 and 20,000 meters, and the 25 km road race. Between 1973 and 1989, she won 21 marathons.

Grete Waitz (NOR/1953)

“Some people feel 'transformed' from the first day they begin running; others feel that it's just plain hard work. Most of us realize it is both.”

^{Pioneer of women's running, Grete Waitz from Norway. © SCC EVENTS}

Norwegian long-distance runner Grete Waitz shaped the women's marathon like no other. Before turning to marathon running, she was already a star on the track—with a world record in the 3,000 meters in 1976—and in cross country. Between 1978 and 1983, she broke the marathon world record four times and achieved a personal best of 2:25:28 hours. She won the first-ever women's marathon world championship in 1983 in Helsinki and took silver at the first Olympic women's marathon in 1984 in Los Angeles. With nine victories, she remains the record winner of the New York Marathon. A former teacher, she lost her battle with cancer in 2011.

Joan Benoit Samuelson (USA/1957) – The First Olympic Marathon Champion

“As every runner knows, running is about more than just putting one foot in front of the other; it is about our lifestyle and who we are.”

^{Joan Benoit-Samuelson  Kathrine Switzer. © Edith Zuschmann}

Joan Benoit Samuelson made history as the first Olympic champion in the women’s marathon—at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. During her professional career, she won prestigious races such as the Boston and Chicago Marathons. In 1982, she set a new marathon world record with a time of 2:26:12 hours. Her personal best of 2:21:21 hours from 1985 remained unbeaten for 18 years. Even decades later, she impressed: in 2019, she ran the BMW BERLIN-MARATHON and finished second in the W60 age group with a time of 3:02:21 hours.

Charlotte Teske (GER/1949) – Winner of the First VITAMIN WELL Frauenlauf Berlin

Born in 1949, the long-distance runner from Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen is considered one of the pioneers of the women's marathon in Germany. In 1982, she set a new world best at the Miami Marathon with a time of 2:29:02 hours—becoming the first woman to break the 2:30-hour mark (official marathon world records for women did not yet exist). That same year, she won the Boston Marathon in an impressive 2:29:33 hours. In 1986, she set a new women's course record at the BERLIN-MARATHON with 2:32:10 hours. At the first Olympic women's marathon in 1984 in Los Angeles, Teske finished 16th. Over her career, she claimed 14 German national titles—in cross country, track, and road races. She also competed in the very first edition of the VITAMIN WELL Women’s Race Berlin in 1984 and was the first to cross the finish line.