Nina Kuscsik, a pioneer for women's distance running who became the first female to win the Boston Marathon in 1972, has died. She was 86.

Nina Kuscsik, who campaigned for women's inclusion in long-distance running and then won the Boston Marathon the first year that they were officially allowed to enter into the race, has died. She was 86.

Overcoming male resistance as a voice for equality, she was the first woman to enter the New York City Marathon and the first official female winner of the Boston race.