1967

Katherine Switzer. First female Boston Marathon runner.

“A big man, a huge man, with bared teeth was set to pounce, and before I could react he grabbed my shoulder and flung me back, screaming, “Get the hell out of my race and give me those numbers!” Then he swiped down my front, trying to rip off my bib number, just as I leapt backward from him.

…

But no matter what, I have to finish this race. Even if you can’t, I have to—even on my hands and knees. If I don’t finish, people will say women can’t do it, and they will say I was just doing this for the publicity or something. So you need to do whatever you want to do, but I’m finishing.” Read more…

2014

Monika Allen and Tara Baize, LA Marathon runners. They are owners of Glam Runner, which sells running tutus to raise funds for Girls on the Run of San Diego, a non-profit organization nurturing healthy 3rd through 8th grade girls.

Monika Allen is brain cancer survivor who recently underwent chemotherapy.

“Monika Allen says she was excited to receive an email from SELF magazine asking for permission to use a photo that showed her running the LA marathon dressed as Wonder Woman and wearing a tutu in an upcoming issue.

But when the April issue came out, Allen said she was “stunned and offended.”

The picture appears in a section of the magazine called “The BS Meter,” with a caption that refers to a “tutu epidemic” and basically makes fun of the women’s outfits, she said.” (Read and watch more at NBC.)

An outpouring of support via social media was reported soon after the story went viral. (See follow up story.)

#DieTumorDie

 Note to SELF: Every runner has a story.