There will be a non-binary category for the first time in the history of Sunday’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
The new option was quietly announced earlier this year by officials with reception decidedly mixed, the dailymail.com reports.
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Those in favour still expressed disappointment with the lack of prizes, ribbons, or an elite division, which are part of the mens’ and womens’ races.
Cal Calamia, who does not identify as either male or female and uses the pronoun they, told Chicago Sun Times: “Personally, it feels hurtful because it feels performative, or brushed under the rug, because it really is a big deal. As a trans athlete, showing up and registering for these races is a hard thing to do, because there’s not usually space.”
Calamia is one of the less than 100 runners registered in the non-binary category for the race for which an expected 40,000 are expected to turn out.
Some of the LGBTQ community added not sending out a press release regarding the new category is counterproductive to adding it in the first place.
Race organizers told The Chicago Sun Times in part: “We recognize the opportunity for continued dialogue, learning and progress with our event.”
Four of the six major marathons in the world have added a non-binary category for 2022 or 2023 races
