RUNNING: Run for the Diamonds celebrates milestone
Dec. 6—On Thanksgiving Day, 1,040 runners conquered the hills surrounding Berwick for the annual 9-mile Run for the Diamonds, a race that has been held since 1908.
The Run for the Diamonds is recognized as one of America's oldest footraces, but this year's race celebrated a special milestone. It wasn't until 1972 that women were allowed to run the race, marking this year as the 50th anniversary of female participation in the event.
"Prior to 1972, it was decided that women should not run long distances, that it was physically harmful to them. Then it was decided that yes, they could run," said Margaret Livsey, long-time Run for the Diamonds race director.
So, on Thanksgiving Day 1972, two female runners ran the race.
Claudette Garber, then 20 years old, was one of those running pioneers. She was recognized at this year's race, and presented a ribbon to the first female to cross the finish line, Maria Martino. Martino clocked a winning time of 52 minutes, 48 seconds.
Today, the marathon world record for women is 2:14:04, set by Kenya's Brigid Kosgei. Her time is a mere 13 minutes behind the men's world marathon record.
The archaic attitude toward women and running is difficult to comprehend.
In 1966, Roberta Gibb became the first woman to participate in the Boston Marathon. The 23-year-old hid in a bush near the starting line and disguised herself by wearing a hoodie. She completed the race, but was subsequently disqualified because of her gender.
Then, in 1967, Katherine Switzer joined over 600 male runners at the start of the Boston Marathon. She entered the race as "K.V. Switzer" to hide her gender.
Although the men at the starting line were, "Very supportive," in the words of Switzer, events took an ominous turn around the two-mile mark of the race. A press bus carrying race officials pulled up next to Switzer, and race co-director Jock Semple jumped off. He grabbed Switzer, attempting to rip off her number, shouting, "Get out of my race."
At that point, Tom Miller, Switzer's boyfriend, a 235-pound football player, shoulder blocked Semple, knocking him to the ground. Switzer went on to finish the race in 4 hours, 20 minutes, becoming the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon. This year, over 12,100 females entered the Boston Marathon.
In 1984, American Joan Benoit-Samuelson was the first women's Olympic marathon winner at the Los Angeles Games. Prior to 1984, women were not allowed to run any distance over 1,500 meters in the Olympics.
Locally, female runners like Paige Stoner and Samantha Snukis have served as superb role models for women athletes. Both have participated in the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Many local scholastic women runners have gone on to distinguished collegiate careers. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Penn State Schuylkill women's cross country team won the PSUAC championship, with Shenandoah Valley's Alexis Luna capturing the individual championship in 2017 and 2018.
So much for running being "physically harmful" to women.
On the contrary.
Running is beneficial to all.
(Muldowney is an avid runner and retired educator/coach)
