“The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) is currently working on expanding opportunities for non-binary athletes at our own events, including the forthcoming 2023 Boston Marathon , ” race planners stated on the registration website.
“Entry into the event will be determined by an athlete’s submitted time and based on the Boston Marathon’s overall field dimension limit. The Birkenstock boston Marathon registration software will feature the choice to select non-binary in regards to gender. ”
Those looking to enter because non-binary must have finished a race inside the qualifying window of September 1, 2021 through to September 16, 2022 and participated in that race since non-binary, the BAA said.
The statement speaks to a broader discussion of gender identity and sports activities. The qualifying requirements for non-binary athletes will be the same as for women runners this year, however the organization acknowledged the potential drawbacks of this strategy.
“Discussions are ongoing with non-binary athletes in an effort to further promote inclusion whatsoever BAA events, inch race officials stated.
“With this being the first year, we do not yet have enough data to establish non-binary qualifying times. Therefore , we will use the times listed here , as they are usually inclusive of the qualifying times for the 2 existing divisions.
“As we prepare for future races, participants can expect non-binary times to be updated accordingly. We all view this initial year as an opportunity to learn and grow together. ”
Several high-profile American races have added a non-binary division to their event programs in recent years. In September 2021, the Philadelphia Distance Run grew to become the first elite road race to offer a non-binary division with the Brooklyn Marathon following fit in April 2022, according to the New York Times .
The Boston Marathon and it is organizers have long been among the pioneers associated with inclusive policies. Within 1975, the race added the wheelchair category, which makes it the first major convention to do so, according to its internet site.
The window to join up opened up Monday, with the race scheduled for April seventeen, 2023.