Finish Stronger: 50 Years of the Boston 10K for Women
A new limited podcast series in honor of 50th running
When Dusty Rhodes founded the Boston 10K for Women in 1977, then called the Bonne Bell Mini Marathon, it was one of the few races women were allowed to run. Fifty years later, the race continues to bring thousands of women to the starting line, including seven trailblazers who have participated every single year.
Finish Stronger, a podcast series created and hosted by Sydney Sauer, a PhD student in the Harvard University Department of Sociology, tells the story of the race and the women who fought for their place in the sport. The series explores how Dusty and her team at Conventures defied expectations to create a sellout race, shares the stories of its inspirational 50-year runners, and follows the growth of women’s participation in running at both the recreational and elite levels. The series features race director Dusty Rhodes, five time winner Molly Huddle, legacy runner Lyn Licciardello, author Maggie Mertens, and many other pioneering women.
Episode 1
Challenging the Narrative
Go back to a time when 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.
Episode 2
Breaking the Tape
The story of the first Bonne Bell Mini Marathon and how it shattered expectations. The success of the race proved that women not only could run long distances, but that they wanted more opportunities to do so. While recreational running was becoming more accepted for women, female athletes were still fighting to be taken seriously at the elite level. The Boston 10K for Women gave elite female runners a place to compete and be recognized at a time when advocacy for women’s professional running was beginning to grow.
Episode 3
Building the Legacy
A look at how far women’s running has come and where it goes from here. Today, millions of women around the world run, and thousands continue to show up at the Boston 10K for Women each year because of the generations who came before them. The final episode also looks at what still needs to change to make sure all girls have the opportunity to reach the starting line and what women’s races like the Boston 10K for Women can continue to offer the next generation.