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The Boston Marathon once barred women from participating. Sara Mae Berman ran anyway03:49
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April 18, 2022
  • Sara Mae Berman
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Sara Mae Berman, at her home in Cambridge, Mass., wears a medal she was presented for her Boston Marathon wins in 1969, 1970, and 1971. The Boston Athletic Association began recognizing women racers officially in 1972. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Sara Mae Berman, at her home in Cambridge, Mass., wears a medal she was presented for her Boston Marathon wins in 1969, 1970, and 1971. The Boston Athletic Association began recognizing women racers officially in 1972. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Fifty years ago, women were not allowed to run in the Boston Marathon due to a myriad of false assumptions about the female anatomy.

Sara Mae Berman ran anyway. She reflects on what it meant to run then and what it's like to see women run now.

Sara Mae Berman running in the 1972 Boston Marathon. She had the flu that year, and finished in fifth place. (Courtesy Boston Athletic Association)
Sara Mae Berman running in the 1972 Boston Marathon. She had the flu that year, and finished in fifth place. (Courtesy Boston Athletic Association)

This segment aired on April 18, 2022.

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