FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb to Run in Inaugural B.A.A. 10K on Sunday, June 26.
Women's running pioneer also to be inducted into
Sports Museum of New England Hall of Fame on Tuesday, June 28.
BOSTON – The Boston Athletic Association is honored to announce that
Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb, the first woman ever to complete the Boston Marathon,
will be running the inaugural B.A.A. 10K on Sunday, June 26.
Gibb, who cemented her spot in sports history when she became the first
female to run the Boston Marathon in 1966, will compete on the roads of
Boston for the first time since she ran the 2001 Boston Marathon.
Jumping into the 1966 race in Hopkinton, the 23-year-old ran the course and
crossed the finish on Boylston Street in 3:21:40. Until that time, women
were told they could not complete the marathon distance, and weren't
allowed to officially compete in the Boston Marathon. Her accomplishment
remains an inspirational milestone of women athletics. In the 2011 edition
of the world' oldest continually run marathon, a record 10,074 women
finished the race.
On Tuesday, Gibb will be inducted into The Sports Museum of New England
Hall of Fame at TD Garden as part of "The Tradition." Gibb is one of a six
person class that includes NBA Hall of Famer and Boston Celtics legend
Larry Bird, boxing star Micky Ward, and Bruins standout Willie O'Ree.
Presenting Gibb with her Special Achievement Award on June 28 will be Joan
Benoit Samuelson, the two-time champion of the Boston Marathon (1979, 1983)
and winner of the first women's Olympic Marathon.
Both pioneers of women's distance running, Gibb and Samuelson will
celebrate their journeys at the first B.A.A. 10K. Along with 4,000 other
participants, the two are set to run the 6.2-mile scenic tour through
Boston's Back Bay, which starts and finishes on Charles Street between
Boston Common and the Public Garden.
Race registration remains open at www.baa.org
Established in 1887, the Boston Athletic Association is a non-profit
organization with a mission of managing athletic events and promoting a
healthy lifestyle through sports, especially running. The B.A.A.'s Boston
Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, and the organization
manages other local events and supports comprehensive charity, youth, and
year-round running programs. Since 1986, the principal sponsor of the
Boston Marathon has been John Hancock Financial. The Boston Marathon is
part of the World Marathon Majors along with the Virgin London Marathon,
BMW Berlin Marathon, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, and the ING New York
City Marathon.
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