261 Women's Marathon and 10K

Kathrine Switzer calls women globally to challenge themselves on International Women’s DayThe Palma de Mallorca tourist board has announced the second annual 261 Women’s Marathon, the only women’s marathon in Europe, will take place in the city in April. This is the annual edition of this pioneering 26.2 mile road race, which is designed to encourage women to take on the marathon distance, and sees participants tackling a scenic waterfront course through the streets of the Mallorcan capital. 

The race is both inspired and backed by Kathrine Switzer, the iconic female marathon runner and first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon back in 1967, where she was famously attacked mid-stride by a race official who tried to tear off her bib number: 261. Switzer eluded the official, kept her number and finished the race, and has since gone onto make huge steps for women in sport. “261” has subsequently become a number to symbolise fearlessness and it inspired the creation of the 261 Women’s Marathon launched by the innovative sports agency, Sports Marketing Management (SMM), in Madrid.While encouraging women’s running is at the forefront of what the race sets out to do, men are still invited to join the race, particularly those who wish to accompany and support their female friends or partners.