Dessy Boneva, MD, local trauma surgeon from Kendall, will be lacing up her sneakers on Apr. 17 for the run of her life.
Dr. Boneva, as well as 100 other runners, will be running the 121st Boston Marathon to represent 261 Fearless Inc, the new non-profit benefitting women’s running initiatives from legendary marathoner Kathrine Switzer.
In 1967, Switzer became the first registered women to compete in the Boston Marathon. At that time, the race was considered a male-only event, but, using her initials, Switzer managed to obtain an official bib, No. 261. Mid-stride in the competition, an angry race director leapt from the press truck and attempted to pull Switzer from the race. In one of sport’s most dramatic moments, Switzer’s burly boyfriend bounced the official off the course, allowing Switzer to go on to finish. The photo of the incident became one of Time-Life’s “100 Photos That Changed the World.”
“Switzer not only broke the glass starting line, but she continued to champion the cause of women’s running for the next 50 years,” Boneva said. “261 Fearless — a global women’s running network — is the result. This charity uses running to empower women around the world.
“That’s why I’m running for 261 Fearless,” she added.
“It is a joy to run with Dessy in the 121st Boston Marathon,” Switzer said. “What was a dramatic incident 50 years ago became instead a defining moment for me and women runners like Dessy. The result is nothing less than a social revolution. There are now more women runners in the United States than men, and these women are both fearless and compassionate, wanting to help other women around the world achieve their goals.
“Because of women like Dessy, 261 Fearless will be able to spread our message far and wide,” Switzer added.
“I know I have some hard work ahead of me,” said Dr. Boneva, who has to balance work in her busy schedule taking care of patients which is a passion of hers but also finding time for running at least 30-35 miles a week in addition to other activities and travel that she is often involved in. She also is trying to raise over $7,000 for 261 Fearless.
“With the money we raise, this nonprofit organization is able to help establish social running clubs and create coaches’ education and communication programs, even right here in our own community,” Boneva said. “We aim to bring women together and connect them with other 261 runners globally. This is a wonderful way to continue to give back and support other women long past the time of the Boston Marathon. Every woman out there deserves to have the chance to reach their own starting line and finish line and feel fearless.”
In 1972, five years after the “Switzer Incident,” the Boston Athletic Association welcomed women as official competitors, becoming the first major marathon to do so. This year, the Boston Athletic Association has continued its commitment to women’s running by inviting the 261 Fearless team to participate in the 121st running of the Boston Marathon on Apr. 17.
To learn more about 261 Fearless, visit www.261fearless.org.
