On the morning of November 1, 2025, over brunch at the historic New York Athletic Club, we will celebrate the first-ever K.V. Switzer Awards, a moment to honor courage, connection, and the power of running to change lives.
Today, we are thrilled to share the nominees across all three categories of this inaugural event. Each one embodies the fearless spirit of Kathrine Switzer, who broke barriers in 1967 as the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon. Kathrine’s legacy lives on in these individuals who use running not only to empower themselves but to uplift women and communities around the world.
As Kathrine herself reminds us:
“The candidates for this award are people who have been personally impacted by physical activity, running in particular, and want to pass on that sense of freedom and joy and fearlessness to others. Running can change the world in a very positive way.”
The K.V. Switzer Pioneer Award
Presented by Team Milk’s Every Woman’s Marathon
This award honors those who have blazed a trail for women in running – overcoming cultural, social, or personal barriers to create lasting change.
The nominees are:
- Ilse Dippman (Austria) – Founder of the Austrian Women’s Run, now one of Europe’s largest women’s races with 30,000 participants.
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee (USA) – Six-time Olympic medalist and founder of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, empowering young people through sport and education.
- Dr. Stacy Sims (USA/New Zealand) – Leading exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist, pioneering research in female-specific training.
- Nina Kuscsik (USA) – The first woman to officially win the Boston Marathon and to run the NYC Marathon, staged the 1972 NYC Marathon sit-down strike, and legislated to establish the first ever Olympics women’s marathon (1984). She is nominated posthumously.
- Masoumeh (Mahsa) Torabi (Iran) – Advocate for women’s running in Iran, working with global charities to empower women through sport.
The K.V. Switzer Community Impact Award
Presented by Adidas
This award shines a light on those who use running to create meaningful, lasting social impact – going beyond the sport to transform communities.
The nominees are:
- Molly Barker (USA) – Founder of Girls on the Run, inspiring millions of girls across North America.
- Toni Carey & Ashley Hicks-Rocha (USA) – Co-founders of Black Girls RUN!, tackling health disparities and building a movement of 25,000 women.
- Jessie Zapo (USA) – Coach, ultramarathoner, and founder of Girls Run NYC, a collective that uplifts and empowers women through running.
- NYRR’s Mastercard New York Mini 10K (USA) – The first women’s-only road race organized by the nonprofit New York Road Runners in 1972, this race was a historic milestone in the global movement for women’s running.
- RUN Hong Kong – A nonprofit supporting vulnerable refugees, particularly women, through structured sports and running programs.
The K.V. Switzer Global Connector Award
Presented by Beyond Finance
This award celebrates leaders who bring women together across borders -building networks, cultural exchange, and solidarity through running.
The nominees are:
- Stephanie Case (Canada) – Humanitarian, ultramarathoner, and founder of Free to Run, empowering women and girls in conflict zones.
- Thom Gilligan (USA) – Founder of Marathon Tours & Travel, pioneering safe, welcoming international running experiences.
- Tegla Loroupe (Kenya) – Legendary runner and peace advocate, founder of the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation and Peace Run.
- Esther Newman (UK) – Editor of Women’s Running and podcast host, championing safe, inclusive spaces for women in sport.
- Paul Sinton-Hewitt (UK) – Founder of parkrun, a global free-running movement that has made outdoor activity accessible for all.
A Morning of Legacy and Celebration
These nominees represent the fearless heart of running: resilience, advocacy, community, and global connection. Together, they remind us that running is more than a sport—it’s a powerful force for social change.
On November 1, 2025, we’ll gather for the K.V. Switzer Awards Brunch to honor their stories and announce the first-ever award winners. Ticket information to follow.
✨ Stay tuned as we count down to this historic moment in women’s running.
👉 Learn more about the K.V. Switzer Awards and our mission to empower women through running at 261fearless.org/k-v-switzer-award.
