When she applied to run the Boston Marathon in 1966, she was turned down on the grounds that the organizers could not be held accountable and that women were not biologically capable of running and enduring a marathon.
Thus, Bobbi Gibb hid in the woods on the day of the marathon, over 60 years ago, to await the start of the race. She started the race after half of the competitors had gone by. He had on a swimming suit, a pullover, a pair of men's sneakers, and his brother's sports shorts. Gibb started to perspire after a time, but he kept his sweatshirt on. They would have attempted to stop her if they had noticed her. She even considered being arrested.
However, it was not long before the other runners realized it was a woman. Instead of pushing her off the road or calling the police, as Gibb had assumed, they showed solidarity and assured her that they would do all in their power to make sure she had a smooth journey.
Gibb removed his sweater, at last feeling secure. The public's reaction was one of sheer excitement rather than anger as soon as it became evident that a woman was also running the marathon. The men cheered. The women were in tears. When the race was over, the word had gone viral, and the university students who had hosted the tournament were there to welcome her, yelling with excitement.
In order to greet her at the finish line and shake her hand, the governor of Massachusetts was also waiting for her. A medal hung around the neck of the first female marathon runner!
In the world of women's competitive sports, Bobbi Gibb remains a legend.