Iconic Athlete Kathrine Switzer to Deliver Keynote Address at Girls on the Run Summit

SAN DIEGO, Dec. 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Iconic athlete, sports and social advocate, author, and Emmy award-winning television commentator, Kathrine Switzer, will be the keynote speaker at the 2015 Girls on the Run Summit—an annual gathering of directors and board members from among the 225 councils of the nonprofit organization. Switzer will speak on the last day of the event, sharing her story of determination and courage that helped advance the status of women in sports.

Switzer was the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon. During the marathon—which had always been a men's-only event—the race director attacked Switzer mid-stride and tried to physically remove her from the race. The photo of this incident created a world-wide uproar and became one of Time-Life's "100 Photos that Changed the World."

Radicalized by the incident, Switzer has spent her life campaigning for sports equality for women. In addition to running 39 marathons and winning the New York City Marathon in 1974, she created the Avon International Running Circuit of women's-only races in 27 countries and played a role in convincing the IOC to include a women's marathon in the Olympic Games. In 2011 she was inducted into the U.S.A. National Women's Hall of Fame for breaking barriers and creating positive global social change. Because of her, millions of women are now empowered by the simple act of running.

It is this advocacy for women's empowerment, as well as her love of running, that makes Switzer an ideal selection to deliver the keynote at the Girls on the Run Summit. Girls on the Run is an empowerment program for girls in the 3^rd – 8^th grade, teaching them life skills through a curriculum of engaging lessons and creative running activities. At the conclusion of each program cycle, the girls complete a celebratory 5k that provides them with a lifelong memory of accomplishment.

"We envision a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams," says Girls on the Run CEO Elizabeth Kunz. "Kathrine Switzer not only embodies that vision, but she blazed the trail for countless women and girls to pursue their dreams."

The 2015 Girls on the Run Summit will be held January 18-21 in San Diego and is where Girls on the Run chapter leaders from coast to coast come together for motivation and learning. The Summit will also kick off Girls on the Run's One-in-a-Million campaign—a 6 month national campaign celebrating Girls on the Run serving its millionth girl in 2015. The campaign will highlight the impact of the program by showcasing the accomplishments of Girls on the Run volunteers and alumna. Girls on the Run is also marking the occasion by committing to raise one million dollars to serve its next million girls by 2020.

For more information about Girls on the Run® visit www.girlsontherun.org.  

For more information about Kathrine Switzer visit www.kathrineswitzer.com.

CONTACT: Amy Ellrod, 1-704-376-9817, [email protected]

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SOURCE Girls on the Run International

Related Links

http://www.girlsontherun.org