Trailblazer on starting line

Bevans starter for 18th running of annual event

Marilyn Bevans’ running career began fancifully, a young girl chasing butterflies at summer camp. She grew wings of her own, or so it seemed, blossoming into a world-class distance runner at the dawn of the marathon craze.

Bevans, of northwest Baltimore, either won or finished second among women in five of the first seven Maryland Marathons, starting in 1973. She triumphed in 1977, setting a course record (2 hours, 51 minutes and 18 seconds) and again in 1979. Hailed as America’s first celebrated black female marathoner, she was the first woman of her race to break the three-hour mark for a 26.2 mile event, placing fourth in Today, 7:30 a.m. Start: M&T Bank Stadium TV: Ch. 11

BALTIMORE SUN 1979 PHOTO Marilyn Bevans holds the silver cup after winning the Maryland Marathon women’s division in 1979. Bevans also was the first AfricanAmerican woman to break the three-hour mark for a 26.2-mile event, placing fourth in the 1975 Boston Marathon in 2 hours, 57 minutes.

KENNETH K. LAM/BALTIMORE SUN Mayor Catherine Pugh, right, shakes hands with Marilyn Bevans, a Baltimore resident who will be the honorary starter today.