Ulmer, an Olympic and two-time Commonwealth Games cycling gold medallist, last night told a crowd of 180 at the Crowne Plaza in Queenstown that her success was in part due to Switzer's early determination.
Switzer, of the United States, became the first woman to run the previously all-male Boston Marathon in 1967, but only after fighting off a furious male race official partway through the event and carrying on to cross the line.
She was later disqualified by the same official, but went on to organise female running events in 27 countries and advocated for the eventual inclusion of a women's marathon event in the 1984 Olympic Games.
Last night, Ulmer paid tribute to Switzer's ground-breaking efforts.
‘‘The fact I raced in those Olympic Games and did OK in them . . . you don't think of the exact reason or why you could compete in the first place.
‘‘It's because of yourself,'' Ulmer said.
Switzer told the crowd her experience in the Boston Marathon had been ‘‘traumatic'' but ultimately positive for her and women's sport. The event, and her determination, helped destroy old ‘‘myths'' about female physical inferiority.
‘‘I look back on it now and say that was the moment that changed my life. It inspired me to create opportunities for women in sport.''
And, 17 years later, the inclusion of a women's marathon in the Olympic Games was ‘‘the physical equivalent of giving women the right to vote'', she said. Switzer now lives six months of each year in New Zealand with her NZ husband, runner Roger Robinson.
Ulmer plans to compete in tomorrow's Motatapu Icebreaker marathon.
