Following the 2017 Boston Marathon, Switzer's nonprofit 261 Fearless received global attention as a network using running to empower women.
In the days immediately following the historic 50th-anniversary running of the Boston Marathon on April 17, 2017, media attention turned to Kathrine Switzer's nonprofit organization, 261 Fearless, named after the bib number she wore during her groundbreaking 1967 race.
On April 18, 2017, extensive coverage highlighted the mission of 261 Fearless: to use running as a tool for empowering women worldwide, particularly those who may lack confidence, resources, or social support to engage in physical activity. The organization, founded in 2015 and expanded significantly starting in 2016, established running clubs and social groups across multiple countries, all built around Switzer's message of overcoming fear and building community through running.
The renewed spotlight on 261 Fearless following the emotional and highly publicized 2017 Boston Marathon anniversary run helped the organization attract new members, chapters, and international recognition. It reinforced Switzer's transition from a singular historic athletic figure to an ongoing global advocate and organizational leader in women's sports.
This moment illustrated how Switzer leveraged her personal history and iconic status to build lasting institutional change, extending her impact far beyond her own competitive career and into structured, sustained global advocacy for women's empowerment through athletics.