The first woman to run the Boston Marathon

ESL Lessons: True Stories

A printable worksheet for story-based English conversation classes.

Difficulty: Elementary A2

PDF: The first woman to run the Boston Marathon
YouTube: The first woman to run the Boston Marathon

Warm-up

Do you know how long a marathon is? (Yes, it's about 42 kilometers.)

Vocabulary Match

official -   - took part in
fear -   - organizer
yelled -   - shouted
chaos -   - shame
entered -   - worry
embarrassment -   - confusion

True Story

Listen and fill in the blanks with words from above.

In the 1960s, women couldn't run in marathons. Yet, Kathrine Switzer, who loved running, ________ the 1967 Boston Marathon. She used the name 'K Switzer' to register. When the race started, the people in charge found out a woman was running. Jock Semple, a race ________, tried to stop Kathrine. He ________, "Leave my race and give me your numbers!" Kathrine's boyfriend Tom Miller, also a runner, pushed Semple away.

Kathrine kept running. Kathrine thought, "If I stop, people will think women can't run long distances. It would be a step back for women's sports. If I stop, Semple wins." So she continued despite her ________ and ________. Kathrine finished the race in 4 hours and 20 minutes. The race director said, "Women can't run in marathons. Rules say so. We need rules or there will be ________." However, five years later, women could officially run in the Boston Marathon.

Quiz

  1. How long did it take Kathrine to finish the race?
  2. Why did Kathrine keep running?

True or False

  1. Kathrine used her real name to register for the marathon.   T  |  F
  2. Kathrine's boyfriend was a race official.   T  |  F
  3. Women were officially allowed to run in the Boston Marathon in 1967.  T  |  F

Conversation

Tom: Great job, Kathrine! You showed them what women can do!
Kathrine: Thanks, Tom! I couldn't have done it without your support.
Tom: I can't believe that guy tried to stop you.
Kathrine: I can't believe you pushed him off the road!
Tom: Haha, he had it coming.
Kathrine: Hmm... I wonder what will happen now?

Discussion

  1. Have you ever participated in a sports event?
  2. Would you consider running a marathon? Why or why not?
  3. How do you think Kathrine's actions helped change women's sports?

True Story Answers

In the 1960s, women couldn't run in marathons. Yet, Kathrine Switzer, who loved running, entered the 1967 Boston Marathon. She used the name 'K Switzer' to register. When the race started, the people in charge found out a woman was running. Jock Semple, a race official, tried to stop Kathrine. He yelled, "Leave my race and give me your numbers!" Kathrine's boyfriend Tom Miller, also a runner, pushed Semple away.

Kathrine kept running. Kathrine thought, "If I stop, people will think women can't run long distances. It would be a step back for women's sports. If I stop, Semple wins." So she continued despite her fear and embarrassment. Kathrine finished the race in 4 hours and 20 minutes. The race director said, "Women can't run in marathons. Rules say so. We need rules or there will be chaos." However, five years later, women could officially run in the Boston Marathon.

Vocabulary Answers

entered → took part in
official → organizer
yelled → shouted
embarrassment → shame
fear → worry
chaos → confusion

Quiz Answers

  1. She did it in 4 hours and 20 minutes.
  2. To show that women can run long distances.

True or False Answers

  1. True
  2. False
  3. False

Further Reading

https://worldathletics.org/competitions/heritage/news/great-athletics-moments-triumph-adversity

More "True Story" Lessons

ESL Lessons: True Stories