Avon International Women's Championship Marathon

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Finally, in 1972— five years after Ms. Switzer had proved that "mere females" could go the distance—Boston officially admitted women to open participation in their 26-miler. (It also should be noted that—by then—several women had actually run faster times than those of some of the 1968 and 1972 male Olympic marathon competitors!) Other race officials have not been so progressive. Right now, for instance—in 1978, eleven years after Kathi Switzer blew 'em away at Boston—women have still not been permitted by the "auspicious" Olympic governing bodies to run in an internationally recognized and sanctioned marathon!

As a result of this flurry of official inactivity, Dr. Ernst von Aaken (renowned West German trainer of distance runners) organized and financed the first ever international marathon competition for women only in 1974 in Waldniel, Germany. It should be noted that Dr. von Aaken paid for the event by using the insurance money he received a year or so earlier in a settlement from an automobile accident. (While on his regular evening run one night, Dr. von Aaken was struck by a car. He lost both legs as a result )

After the successful women-only Waldniel Marathon, the International Olympic Committee and the International Amateur Athletic Federation were once again petitioned to hold an Olympic level event of this nature . . . and they—in their typically Neanderthal fashion—again refused.

Just as predictably, Ernst von Aaken responded by hosting a second ladies—only marathon—this time in 1976—in Waldniel. Once again the women performed flawlessly in a quality race.

That really got the ball rolling . . . and Dr. von Aaken—plus Atlantan Gayle Barron, Kathi Switzer, Olympic competitor Jeff Galloway, and the combined energy of the Atlanta running community—was soon planning a women's marathon for the United States. The project's momentum was soon given an added and most important boost when the Avon company offered to sponsor the race (it always takes money, folks). Thus was the Avon Women's Marathon conceived and nurtured.

THE RACE

The field for the March 19 Atlanta run was—without a doubt—unprecedented in women's athletics. The 225 participants ranged in age from 14 to 52 and represented every level of marathoning experience . . . lots to none! What they all had in common, though, was confidence—in themselves and their ability to perform individually and collectively—and enthusiasm. Their strength showed.

The heat (75° at the start, 80° later) and the hills took their toll. But two hours, 46 minutes, and 16 seconds after the gun went off, Martha Cooksey charged across the finish line. The 23 year-old Californian—apparently—had found the 80° temperature and low humidity to her liking. (Maybe not liking, but she was used to it!)

In second place, with a time of 2:51:40, was 34-year-old Sarolta Monspart of Budapest, Hungary Ms. Monspart was the first competitor from an Eastern Bloc country to compete in a women's distance race in the U.S. As the women fight for Olympic recognition, performances from international competitors like Sarolta are increasingly important.

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