Bobbi Gibb: Artist and Boston Marathon Legend

Bobbi Gibb, an artist and lawyer, has unveiled a self-portrait bronze statue near the Hopkinton, Massachusetts, start line of the Boston Marathon. This sculpture is the first of a woman on the historic route and commemorates Gibb's groundbreaking achievement as the first woman to finish the marathon in 1966.

Gibb, now 83, ran the marathon despite being rejected due to rules deeming it unsafe for women to run more than 1.5 miles. She finished in 3 hours, 21 minutes, 40 seconds and also won the race in the following two years. The Boston Athletic Association now recognizes her three victories from this "Pioneer Era."

The statue, depicting Gibb in her 1966 attire, also represents the broader fight for women's human and civil rights. Gibb stated the work symbolizes women's struggle, recalling a time when her mother faced significant legal and social restrictions. The sculpture serves as an inspiration to the over 14,000 women participating in the marathon.

Previously unveiled in 2021 at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts, the statue was moved closer to the course after funding and permits were secured. Gibb, who also created trophies for the 1984 U.S. Olympic marathon trials, emphasized that the creation of the sculpture was a "labor of love," much like marathon running and her advocacy for gender equality.