By Jonathan Brand
Oct. 24 NEW LONDON, CT
Keeping the Spirit of 1961 Alive in the Manchester Road Race
A half-century after making her mark in the world of running, Dr. Julia Chase-Brand is set to don her blue running tunic from 1961, but this time as a tribute rather than an act of defiance. Click on the image below to play the Dick's sporting Goods Documentary on Julia Chase-Brand. which was filmed when she was 70 years-old.
Reviving History: Julia Chase-Brand's Thanksgiving Day Run
This 2011 Thanksgiving Day, at 69, Chase-Brand is preparing to participate in a 4.75-mile race in Manchester, Conn., a race now filled with women runners, a stark contrast to 50 years ago when her participation was a rebellious act that set a new course for female distance running in the U.S.
The Woman Who Paved the Way for Female Distance Running in the U.S.
In 1961, the Amateur Athletic Union had banned American women from officially competing in road races. Despite the ban, she and two other women made headlines by running in Manchester, marking a historic moment in the fight for women's rights in sports. Chase-Brand is featured in this twitter video reading a poem on distance running in the winter.
The First True American Woman Road Racer: Julia Chase-Brand's Legacy
In the words of Amby Burfoot, a longtime editor at Runner’s World magazine and the winner of the Manchester Road Race nine times, Chase-Brand was not merely seeking publicity, but was a dedicated athlete seeking a platform for her talent.
A Life of Trailblazing Achievements Beyond Running
Chase-Brand's life journey extends beyond her running career. She has experienced groundbreaking moments in biology and medicine, and her return to the Thanksgiving race in her original uniform marks the completion of her full circle journey from an outcast to a trailblazer.
Julia Chase-Brand: The Early Running Days and Her Passion for Freedom
Chase-Brand's love for running began as a young girl, as she explored the woods and ponds of her grandmother’s eight-acre farm in Groton, Conn. She relished the feeling of freedom and the rush of adrenaline that came with running.
Julia Chase: A Woman Born to Run
In the mid-1950s, she was introduced to distance running by her father, sparking an insatiable desire to run. Her journey into competitive running began in July 1960, with her first victory in the New England championship.
1961: A Year of Rebellion and Triumph for Julia Chase-Brand
Despite the odds, Chase-Brand continued to break barriers. In 1961, she unofficially entered a race in Chicopee, Mass, finishing 34th and defeating eight men, an act that would soon lead to her legendary run in Manchester.
The Woman Who Dared to Run
On Nov. 23, 1961, Chase-Brand arrived at Manchester, firmly determined to run the race, regardless of the societal norms. With two other women runners, Chase-Brand made a stand against the A.A.U. ban, marking a pivotal moment in the history of women's distance running.
The Trailblazers: Women Who Defied the Norms at the Manchester Race
Despite the A.A.U.'s strict rules, the spectators and other male runners extended their support to Chase-Brand and the other female runners. Chase-Brand completed the race, ahead of 10 men, a defining moment that signaled a new era for women's running.
Reliving the Defining Race
Dr. Julia Chase-Brand, now 69, will step into her running shoes again on Thanksgiving Day, participating in the Manchester Road Race. This is a 4.75-mile run that stands as a testament to the trail she blazed for female distance runners in the United States half a century ago.
In 1961, the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) banned American women from officially competing in road races. Defying these prohibitive norms, Chase-Brand, along with two other women, chose to participate in the Manchester Road Race, marking a momentous occasion in the history of women's distance running in the United States.
Dr. Julia Chase-Brand: A Pioneer in Running and Medicine
Chase-Brand's journey has not been limited to the running track. In addition to being a pivotal figure in women's distance running, she has made significant strides in the fields of biology and medicine, leading a life as diverse and enriching as a novel. Today, she serves as the medical director of outpatient psychiatry at Lawrence and Memorial Hospital in New London, Connecticut.
Her Journey into Running: An Early Start
Chase-Brand's love for running began in her childhood, on her grandmother's eight-acre farm in Groton, Connecticut. From running to school when she missed the bus to running barefoot in the snow in college, she embraced the freedom and the joy that came with it.
In the mid-1950s, she was introduced to the world of marathon running by her father, who told her about a schoolteacher named John J. Kelley, a marathon champion and Olympian. Inspired, she began her journey into the world of distance running.
Breaking Barriers: The 1961 Manchester Road Race
In 1961, she made the decision to defy the AAU's ban on women in road races, and she officially filed an application to participate in the Manchester Road Race. She was met with resistance, but Chase-Brand held her ground, stating that she was not attempting to masquerade as a male but simply wanted to run.
On November 23, 1961, she arrived at the Manchester Road Race, donned in a skirted running outfit, running shoes, and a cross around her neck. Two other women joined her in the race, and despite the AAU's reluctance, they were met with support from the spectators and other male runners. She crossed the line in 33 minutes and 40 seconds, marking a landmark moment in the evolution of women's running in the United States.
Chase-Brand: An Enduring Legacy in Running and Medicine
Chase-Brand's journey did not end with the 1961 race. She went on to graduate school, earned her doctorate, became a biologist, and later pursued a career in medicine. In 1996, at the age of 53, she became the oldest person to receive a medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University in the Bronx.
Today, even with her creaky knees, Chase-Brand lives in New London, CT and continues to run, bike, swim, and do gym workouts. As she prepares to participate in the Manchester Road Race again this Thanksgiving Day, she dedicates her run to those who embraced her 50 years ago and those who have since walked the path she helped to forge.
Julia Chase-Brand: A Pioneer in Women's Sports History
The Spirit of a Runner
May 26, 2023, NEW LONDON. Julia Chase-Brand, a name synonymous with defiance, determination, and the spirit of a true runner. Her story is not just about running; it's about breaking barriers, challenging norms, and rewriting the rules of women's sports.
In her own words, Chase-Brand describes the sensation of running as a dream where "you leap and you don't come down, you're weightless as if you can just bound wherever." This feeling of liberation and self-expression was a fundamental part of her identity, a time when she felt most herself.
The Struggle Against Conventional Norms
Growing up in an era where societal norms and expectations for women were rigidly defined, Chase-Brand faced numerous obstacles. At the age of twelve, she received a book on cooking and sewing for her birthday, reflecting the societal expectations for young girls at the time.
Sports, particularly running, were not considered suitable for women. Restrictions were everywhere. Women were not allowed to play soccer, and if they played basketball, it had to be half-court. Chase-Brand, however, was not one to be confined by these norms. She wore her brother's hand-me-down shorts and t-shirt and taped on her coach's shoes because there were no sports shoes for girls.
The Act of Civil Disobedience
At the age of 19, Chase-Brand decided to challenge the ban on women running distance. She saw this as an act of civil disobedience, a deliberate challenge to the system that was holding women back. She chose to participate in the Manchester Road Race, a traditional event in New England.
Despite being body-blocked by officials who insisted she couldn't run, Chase-Brand persisted. Her final act of defiance was crossing the finish line, a symbolic gesture that sent a powerful message about women's right to participate in sports.
The Aftermath and Legacy
Chase-Brand's act of defiance led to significant changes. She was asked to promise not to "embarrass" the officials again, and in return, they agreed to start cross-country runs for women. This was the first time women were allowed to run cross-country, marking a significant milestone in women's sports history.
Chase-Brand's act of defiance did more than just change the rules; it gave her a backbone. It instilled in her the confidence to pursue her dreams, leading her to graduate school in Indiana, studying bats in Trinidad, and eventually becoming a psychiatrist.
The Joy of Running
Now, at the age of 80, Chase-Brand runs for the sheer joy of it. She no longer runs to place in races or for speed. Instead, she runs to escape gravity and age, to feel the joy of the wind against her face, and to experience the freedom that running has always given her.
Conclusion
Julia Chase-Brand's story is a testament to the power of defiance and determination. Her refusal to conform to societal norms and her courage to challenge the system has left an indelible mark on women's sports history. She is a true pioneer, a beacon of inspiration for all women who dare to dream and defy.
JULIA CHASE-BRAND: A PIONEER IN THE HISTORY OF WOMEN'S SPORTS EMBODYING THE SPIRIT OF A RUNNER
On May 26, 2023, in New London, the name Julia Chase-Brand resounded as a symbol of resilience, unwavering determination, and the true essence of a runner. Her narrative goes beyond mere running; it embodies the act of breaking barriers, defying conventions, and rewriting the rules of women's sports.
In her own eloquent words, Chase-Brand describes the sensation of running as a dream where "you soar without descending, weightless, as if you could bound wherever you desire." This feeling of liberation and self-expression formed an integral part of her identity, a time when she felt most authentically herself.
A STRUGGLE AGAINST THE CONSTRAINTS OF CONVENTION
Growing up during an era defined by rigid societal norms and prescribed expectations for women, Chase-Brand encountered numerous hurdles. At the tender age of twelve, she received a cookbook and sewing manual as a birthday gift, reflecting the societal inclination towards traditional female roles at that time.
Sports, particularly running, were deemed unsuitable for women. Limitations abounded. Women were forbidden from playing soccer, and even basketball games were restricted to half-court. Nevertheless, Chase-Brand refused to be bound by these norms. She fearlessly sported her brother's hand-me-down shorts and t-shirt, taping her coach's shoes to her feet since there were no sports shoes available for girls.
AN ACT OF DEFIANCE
At nineteen years old, Chase-Brand made the decision to challenge the ban on women participating in distance running. She viewed it as an act of civil disobedience, a deliberate and courageous defiance of the system that sought to hold women back. Her choice was to participate in the prestigious Manchester Road Race, a long-standing tradition in New England.
Despite facing physical obstacles, with officials attempting to block her path under the pretext that she was not permitted to run, Chase-Brand persevered. Her ultimate act of defiance came as she crossed the finish line, a symbolic gesture that resonated powerfully, underscoring women's rights to engage in sports.
THE AFTERMATH AND HER ENDURING LEGACY
Chase-Brand's audacious act brought about substantial changes. She was requested to promise not to "cause embarrassment" to the officials in the future, and in exchange, they agreed to introduce cross-country runs exclusively for women. This pivotal moment marked the first instance where women were allowed to participate in cross-country races, signifying a significant milestone in the history of women's sports.
Her act of defiance did more than just alter the rules; it fortified her resolve. It instilled within her the confidence to pursue her dreams, leading her to pursue graduate studies in Indiana, conduct research on bats in Trinidad, and ultimately become a psychiatrist.
THE SHEER JOY OF RUNNING
Now, at the age of 80, Chase-Brand continues to run solely for the sheer joy it brings. No longer driven by the desire to win races or achieve remarkable speed, she runs to defy gravity and the limitations imposed by age. Running allows her to revel in the exhilarating sensation of the wind against her face and to relish the freedom it has always bestowed upon her.
Julia Chase-Brand's story stands as a testament to the immense power of defiance and unwavering determination. Her refusal to conform to societal norms and her indomitable courage to challenge the status quo have left an indelible mark on the history of women's sports. She is an extraordinary pioneer, a beacon of inspiration for all women who dare to dream and defy expectations.