All six of the World Major Marathons have been running towards progress. Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, and New York Marathons have added nonbinary running categories in their races between 2021 and 2023. Now, the Tokyo Marathon has crossed the finish line, joining the others and introducing a nonbinary category for its 2025 competitors.
Although New York is the only current World Major Marathon to present prize money to its nonbinary runners, there has been a steady incline in nonbinary runner participation since these additions. Nonbinary runners have pointed out that this is only the first step of many to foster total inclusion in the competition. Advocates stress the qualification process and other entry requirements to be made easier for nonbinary athletes to navigate.
The current LGBTQ+ landscape of Japan is progressing, but not without backlash. In March, Japan made a leap closer to legalizing same-gender marriage. The past year also saw a Japanese Supreme Court ruling in favor of transgender individuals. The former allows transgender folks to no longer have to be sterilized to legally change gender. It is exciting to see efforts towards inclusivity being made through the Tokyo Marathon Foundation in a rather rigid country.
The Tokyo Marathon Foundation comments, “We aim to create a more inclusive society through Tokyo Marathon 2025 and will promote sustainability efforts aimed at creating a warm and friendly event that takes into consideration people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ (sexual minorities) in particular.” In addition, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation will provide gender-neutral bathrooms and changing rooms. It will also offer seminars for marathon volunteers and administrators on LGBTQ+ issues. The foundation has previously signed an agreement with Pride House Tokyo to promote diversity in sporting events.
It is exciting to see increasing recognition and inclusion of LGBTQ+ athletes in sports over the last few years. Although there is still more to do, including a nonbinary category in the biggest global marathons is a step towards universal progress. Anna Beath, director of research for Athlete Ally, made important comments on the New York Marathon’s surge in nonbinary runners. She pointed out that “More representation encourages others to be out in sports, and greater numbers of nonbinary athletes make it harder for race officials to refuse to make changes to improve the process for nonbinary athletes.” Now Japan is next to continue this pivotal pattern of progress.
