Likened to the Olympic Games for amateurs, running the Boston Marathon is a coveted goal that has become increasingly difficult to achieve. How people “earn” a spot in the race is not without controversy. Rhetoric in marathon communities about the deserving vs. the undeserving, and hard work versus luck or natural talent, mimics the age-old religious question of grace versus works, and how salvation is reached. The recent inclusion of a category for non-binary runners has increased such debates, and gender non-conforming athletes are maligned for taking the spots of more “worthy runners.” Several religious groups have also openly opposed the inclusion of transgender and non-binary athletes in sports, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This raises the question of who is “worthy” and if anyone has a God-given right to race, which has critical implications for the future of the sport.
Dating back to 1897, the Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest marathon, and arguably the most prestigious. As the number of marathon runners has increased, a spot in the beloved race has become increasingly difficult to achieve. Qualifying times for age and gender have gotten faster, and fundraising minimums for charity runners have gotten higher. This essay looks at the discussions that running communities, particularly on social media, have about the fairness of qualification standards and “earning” a spot in the race. Certain people are considered less worthy of acceptance to compete than others. The latest target in these discussions has been non-binary runners, who accused of taking spots from more worthy athletes and are feared to lie about their gender identity to gain entry. This is in spite of the fact that the non-binary field of runners is actually quite small, and there is no evidence to suggest that cisgender men are “becoming non-binary” so their qualifying standard is easier.
This is a timely paper, considering the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops support of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, and President Trump’s 2025 executive order declaring only two genders. Sports are not the only place in which animus against non-gender conforming persons is being felt, but the media coverage of a large-scale event like the Boston Marathon can have a tremendous impact. For example, the Boston Marathon’s congratulatory social media postings about the top three non-binary finishers at the 2024 race gave rise to comments such as “why are you showing these freaks?” Some people fearful of competing in this category, even if it aligns with their identity. On the other hand, many saw the post as a sign of progress, and running as a welcoming sport that was making way for positive change. Similar to questions about salvation and whether all are saved (and how), or if there needs to be some idea of hell to keep people in line, there is a question of whether inclusivity impedes or fosters athletic success. Furthermore, what defines athletic success? Are some people more “deserving” than others, and what makes them “deserving?” Is the prestige of the Boston Marathon, and hence the attractiveness of a “heaven,” dependent on it being exclusive and turning several people away? All of these questions are worthy of investigation.
Likened to the Olympic Games for amateurs, running the Boston Marathon is a coveted goal that has become increasingly difficult to achieve. How people “earn” a spot in the race is not without controversy. Rhetoric in marathon communities about the deserving vs. the undeserving, and hard work versus luck or natural talent, mimics the age-old religious question of grace versus works, and how salvation is reached. The recent inclusion of a category for non-binary runners has increased such debates, and gender non-conforming athletes are maligned for taking the spots of more “worthy runners.” Several religious groups have also openly opposed the inclusion of transgender and non-binary athletes in sports, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This raises the question of who is “worthy” and if anyone has a God-given right to race, which has critical implications for the future of the sport.