By ERIC BLUM

Pioneering long-distance runner Nina Kuscsik passed away last week at age 86, her family announced, with no immediate cause for her passing publicized. 

Kuscsik was influential in paving the way for women to compete in the Boston and New York Marathons before both races created women’s divisions. 

In 1972, she became the first winner of the Boston Marathon’s women’s race. A year later, she repeated the feat for the New York Marathon.

Before Kuscsik’s involvement with race organizers, women were discouraged, if not straight-up banned, from competing in the nation’s premier long-distance races. 

Pioneering runner Nina Kuscsik passed away last week at age 86, her family announced

Pioneering runner Nina Kuscsik passed away last week at age 86, her family announced

Kuscsik was influential for women to compete in the Boston and New York Marathons

Kuscsik was influential for women to compete in the Boston and New York Marathons

More to come. 

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History-making female marathon runner Nina Kuscsik dead at 86

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