Pioneering long-distance runner Nina Kuscsik passed away last week at age 86, her family announced, with no immediate cause for her passing publicized.
Kuscsik was influential in paving the way for women to compete in the Boston and New York Marathons before both races created women’s divisions.
In 1972, she became the first winner of the Boston Marathon’s women’s race. A year later, she repeated the feat for the New York Marathon.
Before Kuscsik’s involvement with race organizers, women were discouraged, if not straight-up banned, from competing in the nation’s premier long-distance races.
Pioneering runner Nina Kuscsik passed away last week at age 86, her family announced
Kuscsik was influential for women to compete in the Boston and New York Marathons
More to come.
