BOSTON MARATHON

a footrace from Hopkinton, Mass., U.S., to the Back Bay section of Boston, a distance of 42,195 m, or 26 miles 385 yards. The world's oldest annual foot race, it was held first in 1897 and annually thereafter on Patriot's Day (originally April 19; from 1969 the third Monday in April), which honours the 1775 ride of Paul Revere. It is sponsored by the Boston Athletic Association. Runners (more than 5,000 in the late 20th century, as opposed to about 200 in 1960) come from all over the world to participate. In 1967 Kathy Switzer, who had disguised herself as a man, was the first woman to contest the race, although the race director tried to prevent her. The Boston Marathon was the first marathon race to admit women runners officially, in 1972.