The entire running world is deeply saddened by the June 8 passing of one of our greatest leaders, Nina Kuscsik. Nina was not only a champion runner, but was instrumental in the official acceptance of women in distance running because she did years of tough work of changing rules, regulations and submitting medical evidence to prove women’s capability. In 1972, the Boston Marathon had to accept us as official entries. Eight of us could meet the qualifying time of 3 hr 30 min; 8 of us registered, 8 of us showed up, and all 8 of us finished. It was a stunning moment–and a blistering hot day–but appropriately enough, Nina won. (Elaine Pedersen was second and I was third). Here is a 1972 photo of us from the Boston Herald Traveler in the locker room afterward. 50 years later, in 2022, the Boston Marathon celebrated our golden anniversary and brought back the surviving originals for a reunion, and adidas even dedicated the official shoes and clothing line to US, the original eight. We wouldn’t have been there without Nina. RIP, dear friend.