Major marathon extends Russian ban as non-binary category added

Russia and Belarus residents will not be permitted to run the 2023 Boston Marathon

Several months after it was confirmed that runners from both Russia and Belarus were barred from the 2022 Boston Marathon, organizers have confirmed that that residents from the two countries will remain ineligible for next year's race. It was also announced that non-binary athletes will be able to compete without having to register in either the men’s or the women’s divisions.

It was confirmed just two weeks before the beginning of this year's Boston Marathon that athletes from both Russia and Belarus would not be permitted to compete – measures which came amid a wave of sporting sanctions placed on the countries following the launch of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest yearly marathon and is considered by running enthusiasts to be among the most well-regarded on the annual calendar.

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“We believe that running is a global sport, and as such, we must do what we can to show our support to the people of Ukraine,” said Tom Grilk of the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) at the time. 

Thirty-five Russians entered the 2021 Boston Marathon, but it will be 2024 at least before they return in full after the BAA confirmed on its website that their sanctions will continue for another year at least.

“In continuance of the BAA’s support of Ukraine, residents of Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to enter the Boston Marathon,” read a message on the registration page for the 2023 race.

“Russian and Belarusian citizens who are not current residents of either country may still compete, however will not be able to run under the flag of either country,” it added. 

It was also confirmed by the BBA that non-binary runners would be able to register in 2023 for the first time in the history of the race. 

The application permits runners to select non-binary with regard to gender, if they have previously completed a marathon under non-binary status within the qualification window. 

The BAA added that it does not have enough data to determine qualifying times for non-binary runners, so will use the same standards as the women’s division.

In addition to its status as one of the world's most prestigious races, the Boston Marathon is also notorious for the 2013 bombing at its finish line which killed three people and injured hundreds more.