Boston, MA – April 5, 2023 – Marilyn Bevans, the first African American woman to win a marathon, will be celebrated at several events throughout Boston Marathon weekend, including having a distinguished team of Black American athletes run the 127th Boston Marathon in her honor on Monday, April 17, 2023.

Bevans was a pioneer in the world of distance running and was the first Black American woman to win a marathon when she crossed the finish line of the Maryland Marathon in 1975. She also became the first Black American woman to finish a marathon under three hours with a time of 2:55:52 at the 1975 Boston Marathon. In the 1977 Boston Marathon, Bevans became the first Black American woman to medal, earning runner-up honors with a time of 2:51:12. That year, she was ranked the 10th fastest female marathoner in the world by Track & Field News. She achieved a personal-best time of 2:49:56 in 1979. 

The Honorary Marilyn Bevans Boston Marathon Team:

Alisa Harvey
H.S. All American, Four-Time Olympic Track & field Trials qualifier, Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, Four-Time Winner of the Army Ten-Miler, USATF Masters Hall of Fame inductee (2020) and NBMA Hall of Fame Inductee.

Sika Henry
1st Black woman to be recognized as a Professional Triathlete (2021), 100K Virginia State Record / Female & 10th fastest time by an American woman (2022), 2x One City Marathon Winner, and NBMA Hall of Fame Inductee.

Ingrid Walters
1st Place Women’s Open, LA Marathon (2019), 3rd Place Masters Female Chicago Marathon (2014), 2nd Place Female Orange County Marathon (2014), 2nd Place 50+, 12th Overall USATF Masters XC Club Nationals (2021), 1st Place 50+, 8th Overall USATF Masters, XC Championships (2022), 2nd Place 50-54 USATF Masters National LDR Individual Grand Prix, NBMA Hall of Fame Inductee.

Shawanna White
8th fastest American Born Black Female Marathoner, Most Sub 3 hour marathons for a US Born Black Female, 2x USATF South Carolina Female Long Distance Runner of the Year, 2x USATF South Carolina Masters Female Long Distance Runner of the Year, NBMA Hall of Fame Inductee.
 

Events Celebrating Marilyn Bevans:

Saturday, April 15, 2023, 5:30pm, Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame Induction (Marilyn Bevans will be present at this event)

5:30 pm - Social Hour and Hors d’Oeuvres
Springfield College Museum, Judd Gymnasia

7:00 pm - Induction Dinner and Ceremony
Cleveland E. and Phyllis B. Dodge Room, Campus Union

https://springfieldcollegepride.com/general/2022-23/releases/20230306p3n458

Saturday, April 15, 2023, 4:00pm Black Unicorn Marathoners Celebrate & Connect event (Honorary Marilyn Bevans Team Members will be present at this event)
Reggie Lewis State Track & Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120

Sunday, April 16, 2023, 1:00pm Boston Marathon Expo
Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
Podium Pioneers Panel featuring Marilyn Bevans, Jacqueline Hansen & Patti Dillon Hosted by Cherie Turner, Lisa Levin & Julie Sapper

Presentation of the Marilyn Bevans Honorary Boston Marathon Team and official congratulations to Marilyn Bevans by the Boston Athletic Association on her induction into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame.

PRESS CONTACT

• Rochelle Solomon
• 617.413.5140 (cell)
• info@blackunicornmarathoners.org

Included with email as attachments:

• Athlete Photos
• Athlete Resumes

About the Black Unicorn Marathoners Inc.

The Black Unicorn Marathoners was formed to Celebrate and Connect BIPOC runners who have BQ’d, previously run, or are registered to run the Boston Marathon. Our primary goal is to welcome these runners to Boston, including those living in Boston and let them know they are seen and celebrated.

In its 9th year, this is our 2nd year hosting the celebration and gathering at the Reggie Lewis Center in the heart of the Roxbury community of Boston. We invite our local Boston community members with emphasis on Roxbury, Dorchester & Mattapan and youth running groups throughout the city, so they can participate in the celebration and hopefully increase awareness about distance running and to create a Bridge to Boylston Street through interactions with the Boston Marathon runners.