In its second year of having a nonbinary category, 48 runners competed in the Boston Marathon on Monday, 21 more than in 2023. And the winner this year, Ryan Montgomery, ran 11 minutes ahead of last year’s nonbinary winner.
“What. a. day!” Montgomery posted on Instagram following the race. “Still riding that boston magic adrenaline rush ✨ just wanted to say the running community in boston is so fun, and i am really proud and happy with my 5-minute PR and perhaps winner of the non-binary race today?! 🏳️🌈 marathons are so hard but incredibly fun. i soaked up VERY cheer and high-five today on the course.”
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Montgomery ran a great race, with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 45 seconds, beating second place Winter Parts by almost four minutes. Montgomery’s time was 21 minutes faster than that of the nonbinary winner at the New York Marathon in November.
Front Runners New York had three nonbinary entries, all of who finished in the top 11: Jacob Caswell fifth, Truth Bachman ninth and J Solle 11th. Solle was stoked about their day and what it meant.
“During the pandemic, I’d run down the middle of Boylston street imagining what it would be like to get to finish the Boston Marathon,” Solle wrote on Instagram. “In January, when a foot injury started worsening, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to line up this year at all. Running through heartbreak hill yesterday reminded me of cheering there every year and now to race it, in the second year of the Boston Marathon non-binary category, is the ultimate joy.”
In a message to Outsports, Solle said they’ve “dreamt about running this race for years — to be able to run, authentically, is a joy, especially on the national stage. Being able to be part of the Boston Marathon alongside other inspiring nonbinary athletes is such a joy.”
Cal Calamia, who won the nonbinary division at the New York Marathon and finished eighth in Boston, struggled with a rock in their shoe and other issues but put the race into perspective.
“Yesterday was a welcome reminder that it’s okay to slow down, that the right thing to do is listen to your body, and that running 7 marathons and ultramarathons within 365 days is maybe a little tooooo much,” he wrote on Instagram.
“…The worst thing that can happen out there is still not so bad, because you’re running the Boston Marathon!! I am so happy I got to compete in the race’s second every non-binary division, be in community with my people, hear my name shouted along the route over and over again, and bask in the buzz of the city with my loved ones on the other side of the finish. THANK YOU BOSTON!!!
“Every day can’t be perfect and yesterday was a rough one for so many of us. I hope y’all are able to hold yourselves with extra compassion and zoom out for this reminder: Only 1% of the world will ever run a marathon.”
