261 Fearless Announces Winners of The Inaugural K.V. Switzer Awards Recognizing Three Extraordinary Individuals Who Have Gone Beyond Sport To Change Lives

November 3, 2025

November 3, 2025 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – 261 Fearless Inc., the global nonprofit running organization which empowers women through running and education programs, today revealed the winners of the inaugural K.V. Switzer Awards at the historic New York Athletic Club in New York City. The awards, named for women’s running icon and 261 Fearless co-founder Kathrine Switzer, celebrate three extraordinary individuals who are transforming lives by empowering women through running.

“It is an exceptional honor to have an award named after me, and I am grateful, and will always be thankful to the 261 Fearless team who surprised me with the honor. They embody the credo that I live by: the important thing in life is to pass on help and appreciation to others so they can also make positive change,” said Switzer. “Today, we announce three astonishing women winners of this inaugural award who have done just that. All of them have triumphed by turning their own adversities into positive, world-changing programs. As I get older, it has been a particular joy for me to watch them over the years emerge from hard-working girls into world-class women and finally to creative and compassionate leaders who make thousands of lives better forever.”

The inaugural winners of the 2025 K.V. Switzer Awards are:

The K.V. Switzer Pioneer Award presented by Team Milk Every Woman’s Marathon 

• Winner: Jackie Joyner-Kersee
• Jackie is recognized for the life-changing work she had done through her foundation after a career that redefined excellence in women’s track and field, leaving a lasting legacy and shaping women’s running, athletics and health for generations to come. Through the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation, established in 1988 in her hometown of East Saint Louis, Jackie has provided youth, adults and families with transformative educational, athletic, leadership and health programs; demonstrating a personal commitment to shaping young lives and giving opportunities to girls, and boys, to excel in education and athletics, learn life skills, and pursue excellence.

The K.V. Switzer Community Impact Award presented by Adidas

• Winner: Molly Barker
• Presented for making a lasting or positive change in the lives of women in their community through running initiatives, this award recognizes the groundbreaking program Molly founded in 1996, Girls on the Run. Molly’s vision turned this small running program in Charlotte, North Carolina into an empowering international movement, inspiring millions of girls across North America to find strength, courage, and joy in running and being themselves, transforming the way girls see themselves and their potential.

The K.V. Switzer Global Connector Award presented by Beyond Finance

• Winner: Tegla Loroupe
• Tegla’s uniting and impactful work through her foundation embodies what this award represents, with her ability to bring people together across borders as a global advocate for peace, women’s rights and education. This legendary long-distance runner, the first African woman to win the NYC Marathon, came from humble beginnings to create the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation and Peace Academy to promote education, coexistence and conflict resolution through sport. Her annual Peace Race has united warriors, leaders and communities in African nations with thousands disarming for peace.

The awards recognize the extraordinary achievements by these individuals who have left a lasting and positive change on their communities and the world through their leadership and personal commitment to helping those around them. Winners were selected from a highly competitive field of nominees by a panel of independent judges.

Kathrine Switzer broke barriers when she became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967. She has devoted her life’s work to create opportunities for women to run and create positive global social change. All three inspiring and fearless award winners have played a huge part in enabling women and girls to stay healthy and gain confidence through running and physical activity.

“I am honored to receive the K.V. Switzer inaugural Pioneer Award,” said Jackie Joyner Kersee. “Kathrine’s gift to running is a blessing she continues to share not only on the road but also in the boardroom with the same tenacity. A legacy that will live forever.”

“Kathrine didn’t just change running; she changed what was possible for women,” added Molly Barker. “To be recognized in her name is an honor that connects generations of women who keep showing up, one brave step at a time. I’m deeply humbled to be in the company of so many extraordinary nominees – women whose courage and work continue to move this collective forward.”

“Winning the inaugural K.V. Switzer Global Connector Award is an immense honor that fills me with profound gratitude and humility,” said Tegla Loroupe. “Being selected from such an inspiring group of women – each a trailblazer in their own right – reminds me that we all have a role to play in a larger part of resilience and change. To have my name alongside Kathrine Switzer’s legacy is especially meaningful; her fearless run in the 1967 Boston Marathon shattered barriers for women in our sport, proving that determination can rewrite the rules. Like Kathrine, I have always believed that running is more than a race – it’s a tool for empowerment, healing, and connection.”

About Kathrine Switzer:

Kathrine Switzer is an iconic athlete, sports and social advocate, author, and Emmy award winning television commentator. Her fearlessness when she ran the Boston Marathon in 1967 during a time women were not allowed to run was a pivotal step for women in sports and led to a lifetime of championing women’s running. In one of the most dramatic moments in sports history, the race director leapt from the press truck and tried to physically pull her off the course for being a woman. Switzer’s boyfriend at the time shoved away the official, allowing her to continue running and finish the race. The iconic photo of the incident along with Switzer’s bib number 261, inspired a movement for women in sports when she created a global program of women’s-only races in 27 countries that led a million women into running and getting the women’s marathon into the Olympic Games.

About 261 Fearless:

261 Fearless Inc. was co-founded by Kathrine Switzer and Edith Zuschmann in 2015 as a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and uniting women globally through running and education. The organization includes women of all backgrounds in 14 countries on five continents, with 18 clubs and 60 running groups serving over 1,000 active program participants per year.

261fearless.org

Sponsor Information:

Presenting partner for the K.V. Switzer Pioneer Award Team Milk has championed female runners through a multi-year journey supporting women across major U.S. marathons. Starting in 2022, Team Milk built a community of over 30,000 women and launched Every Woman’s Marathon in 2024, a groundbreaking event designed by women for women. Born directly from listening to women runners’ needs and aspirations, this one-of-a-kind race debuted in Savannah, GA and now brings its electric energy and unparalleled sense of community to Scottsdale, Arizona on November 16, 2025.

Miranda Abney, VP Consumer Marketing, MilkPEP: “Team Milk is incredibly honored to partner with the K.V. Switzer Pioneer Award as the presenting sponsor. Kathrine Switzer’s groundbreaking legacy perfectly embodies the strength, determination, and pioneering spirit that captures Every Woman’s Marathon, happening this November in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a 2025 race captain for Team Milk’s Every Woman’s Marathon, Kathrine has been instrumental in empowering women runners at every level. Her decades-long commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women in sports aligns seamlessly with our mission to fuel strong women.”

Presenting sponsor for the K.V. Switzer Community Impact Award Adidas is a global leader in the sporting goods industry. Headquartered in Herzogenaurach / Germany, the company employs more than 62,000 people across the globe and generated sales of € 23.7 billion in 2024.

Jennifer Thomas, VP Sports Marketing and Communications at Adidas, said, “Kathrine Switzer made history as the first woman to officially run and finish the Boston Marathon in 1967, and with adidas on her feet on that groundbreaking day, she has been a beloved member of the adidas family ever since. We are proud to support 261 Fearless and the K.V. Switzer Award 2025, celebrating the leadership of those who empower and inspire women through running, transforming lives around the world. More than an honor, this award is a beacon of courage and possibility.”

Presenting sponsor for the K.V. Switzer Global Connector Award Beyond Finance, LLC is the nation’s largest debt consolidation company. In its commitment to providing clients with a personalized approach to move beyond debt, Beyond Finance provides simple and transparent solutions that help consumers lower their monthly payments, reduce the impact of interest, and reach a debt-free life sooner. Beyond Finance holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded with multiple recognitions for its commitment to clients: Organization of the Year The Business Intelligence Group’s Excellence in Customer Service Award, Gold Stevie Award for Outstanding Customer Service Department, Banking Tech Award-Financial Wellness Champion, and, 3 Consumer Affairs’ “Buyer’s Choice Awards.” Beyond Finance has offices in Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston.

“Through our Rising Beyond philanthropy initiative, we’re proud to support organizations that reflect our mission by helping individuals rise above hardship, rebuild with dignity, and move toward a stronger, more secure future,” said Lou Antonelli, Chief Operating Officer of Beyond Finance. “We deeply admire the resilience of the women runners of 261 Fearless and the spirit celebrated by the K.V. Switzer Award—honoring those who bring women together and strengthen their bonds.”

Media Contact:

Karyn Rodus
media@261fearless.org
Phone: 917-903-3092