Not so long ago, many people believed it was too dangerous for women to run long distances. Doctors warned that running could cause infertility, and race directors kept women from participating in major events like the Boston Marathon. As running became more popular in the 1970s, women began pushing back against these ideas and fighting for their place in the sport. It was during this time that Dusty Rhodes had the idea to bring an all women’s race to Boston.

If this episode has inspired you to lace up your running shoes, registration is open for the 50th annual Boston 10K for Women on Saturday, October 10th, 2026. You can sign up today at boston10kforwomen.com.

This podcast was written and produced by Sydney Sauer. Special thanks to Dusty Rhodes, Maggie Mertens, and Lyn Licciardello for speaking with me, and to the team at Starting Line 1928 for graciously sharing Bobbi Gibb’s oral history. This show is made possible by Conventures and the Boston 10K for Women.

LINKS TO LEARN MORE

https://boston10kforwomen.com/2018/08/race-founder-dusty-rhodes-in-womens-running/

https://boston10kforwomen.com/history/

AUDIO CREDITS

Archival audio:

• Ten O'Six Lotion commercial
• Women's liberation movement news footage

Cherry Blossom Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/