Running Through History
Who you’ll see lining the roads of Boston at this year’s race.
An annual Boston Marathon tradition is the commemorative banners that line the City of Boston streets in the month leading up to race day. Each year’s banners celebrate a unique theme, and the 2022 collection represents the five decades of history since the official women’s division began in 1972. See how many of Boston’s eight icons you can find on Boylston Street and throughout Back Bay.
1970s & 1980s
Nine women started and eight finished the 1972 Boston Marathon, marking the inaugural women’s division in race history. None were faster than Huntington, New York’s Nina Kuscsik, who crossed the finish first in 3:10:26. A trailblazer, Kuscsik set the stage for women’s marathoners to be celebrated in Boston and beyond.
While the likes of Kuscsik, Roberta Gibb, Kathrine Switzer, Sara Mae Berman and Jacqueline Hansen helped lay the framework, Maine native Joan Benoit Samuelson helped launch women’s marathoning into another stratosphere thanks to her American record 2:35:15 and world record 2:22:43 at the 1979 and 1983 Boston Marathons. Samuelson cemented her spot in the sport’s legacy by winning gold at the inaugural Olympic women’s marathon in 1984. She’s finished numerous Bostons in the decades since, including a 3:04:00 age group win at 61 in 2019.
1990s & 2000s
After finishing sixth in 1999, Catherine Ndereba went on a tear in Boston, claiming four titles and a runner-up finish between 2000 and 2005. Known as “Catherine the Great,” Ndereba ushered in the Kenyan era of dominance, becoming the only woman in race history to earn four open division titles.
At the 2003 Boston Marathon, American Marla Runyan set a record that hasn’t been touched in nearly 20 years. The Olympian and Paralympic medalist finished fifth (top American) in 2:30:28, the fastest time by a visually impaired Para-athlete (male or female) in race history. Joining the B.A.A. staff from 2017-2021, Runyan went on to play a pivotal part in the introduction of Para Athletics Divisions, providing greater competitive opportunities, prize money, and awards for athletes with vision, upper-limb, and lower-limb impairments. Runyan also helped ensure equal course record bonuses for open and wheelchair athletes.
2010s & 2020s
Des Linden’s iconic 2018 run through the rain, wind, and cold set her apart among Boston Marathon champions. She became the first American woman in 33 years to win the open division, inspiring thousands to persevere through even the toughest conditions. Living up to her “keep showing up” motto, Linden has finished in the top-five times at Boston.
Defending champion and course record holder Manuela Schär will be on her first Boston Marathon banner, celebrating her reign at the top. Schär finished first at the 2017, 2019, and 2021 Boston Marathons, and is coming of a year where she won the Abbott World Marathon Majors series title and five Paralympic medals. She remains the course record holder in Boston, thanks to her 1:28:17 world best time in 2017.
Speaking of Paralympians, the final two banners belong to two of Boston’s newest champions: Misato Michishita of Japan and Liz Willis of Kansas. Both were winners of the inaugural Para Athletics Divisions in 2021, with Michishita finishing first among visually impaired athletes and Willis the top lower-limb impaired athlete. Michishita and Willis are symbolic of the newest chapter of Boston Marathon history, recognizing and honoring world-class Para athletes.