Kathrine Virginia "Kathy" Switzer (born January 5, 1947, in Amberg, Germany) is an American author, television commentator and marathon runner, best known for being the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a numbered entry, in 1967.Bobbi Gibb is recognized by the Boston Athletic Association as hearalding the pre-sanctioned era as the women's winner in the previous year (1966). It was not until 1972 that women were welcome to run the Boston Marathon officially.