Gender Equity: Non-Binary Equity and Inclusion
Updated May 12, 2023
We are advancing our commitment to a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and socially responsible NYRR—for our team, for our community, and for the sport we love, running. As part of our DEIS mission, we are relentless in our pursuit of gender equity and inclusion and launched the Non-Binary Equity and Inclusion (NBEI) initiative in June 2021. The NBEI initiative provides runners of all gender identities with the ability to run in a safe, competitive, and friendly environment that is equitable, accessible, inclusive, fair, and free of discrimination.
What?
The NBEI framework was designed to make NYRR events more gender-expansive to better meet the needs of our gender-diverse running community. NYRR participants now have the option to choose either “Man,” Woman,” or “Non-binary” on their NYRR profile. Additionally, a Non-binary category has been implemented in the majority of NYRR programs and community events extending from the youth level all the way up to the elite field.
Why?
NBEI supports the needs of a growing number of gender-diverse participants that do not identify as either men or women. The NBEI provides runners of all gender identities with the ability to run in a safe, competitive, and friendly environment that is equitable, accessible, inclusive, fair, and free of discrimination.
How?
We are reexamining the gender binary sports model and working through incremental steps to support our gender-diverse community through our platforms, processes, and policies while working together with others in the running industry. If you are interested in learning more about how you can implement a similar policy at your race organization, please see the resources available here.
Our Goals
The NBEI has two goals. The first and immediate goal is to provide equity and access to athletes who identify beyond and outside of the gender binary. Looking forward, we will continue to refine our policies and practices to best support equal access and equitable opportunities for non-binary participants.
The long-term goal of the NBEI is to continue to implement gender expansiveness efforts, center equity, and belonging into all we do at NYRR. This includes not only NYRR events but also the physical, virtual, and social spaces that we occupy.
How to Update your NYRR Profile
For anyone new to NYRR, a non-binary gender identification category has been added for both adult and youth runners. New users may select any of the three gender identification categories (Man, Woman, Non-binary) when creating their profile.
Existing users may update their selection by following these steps:
- Log in to NYRR.org
- Click on your name and select the dropdown for dashboard
- Click account settings tab on your dashboard
- Under Account Settings in the general information area, click edit
- Select Woman, Man, or Non-Binary
- Save changes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to contact NYRR to update the gender in my profile?
No. Please follow the steps above to update your profile.
How do I update the gender in my child’s NYRR profile?
Parents or legal guardians who wish to update their child’s gender may reach out to our Runner Services team for assistance. Please submit your inquiry via our Contact Us form in our Help Center.
Do youth programs offer a non-binary category?
Yes. Rising New York Road Runner’s youth programs offer non-binary registration and participation.
How are race results displayed?
The NYRR race results page displays three gender identity categories (man, woman, and non-binary). The gender identity in your race result is based on the gender identity in your profile at the time of your registration for the event.
If I update the gender identity category in my NYRR profile, will my gender identity in past events be updated as well?
No, your gender identity in prior results will not be updated. In addition, once an event has started, there is no way for NYRR to update the gender identity in your result for that event. Please note as well that only races from June 26, 2021 and onward include Non-Binary results.
Can I change my gender identity for a future race for which I’ve registered for?
If you have signed up for NYRR races and would like the gender identity to be updated on your registration before the race starts, please submit your request via our Contact Us form in our Help Center. Once results for an event are posted, however, your gender cannot be changed. If you make a change in your gender identity in your NYRR profile or request a change to your gender identity between the time of your registration and the time of the race, you will not be eligible for an award or prize money for that race.
What are the time qualifications standards for the non-binary gender category?
TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half and RBC Brooklyn Half time qualifiers have been updated to include the non-binary gender identification category. NYRR acknowledges the developmental process in creating new non-binary policies and standards. Time qualification standards may be subject to future change as we and the non-binary sports world continue to evolve.
For Non-NYRR races, if you were unable to register as a Non-Binary athlete for your qualifying race, you may apply for a Non-NYRR Time Qualifier entry as Non-Binary and must meet the Non-Binary standards.
Can I apply a qualifying time from my previous gender category after I have updated the gender in my NYRR profile?
If you change your gender category in your NYRR profile after your qualifying results are posted, you must meet both the standards of the gender category your results are posted under as well as the standards of the gender category you have switched your profile to.
If the qualifying time occurs at an NYRR event, you will automatically be granted guaranteed entry and you will then need to claim the entry during the application window.
If you meet a qualifying time in a non-NYRR event, then you will need to apply as a Non-NYRR Time Qualifier during the application window for the race you would like guaranteed entry for. Under the new Non-NYRR Time Qualifier process, only the fastest in each age/gender category will be accepted. Those who are not accepted or their credit card was declined will be automatically moved to the non-guaranteed general entry drawing for another chance to be accepted into the race.
What are the pace cuts for corral assignments for the non-binary gender category?
Gendered pace cuts for corral assignments apply only to the AA corral and have been updated to include the non-binary gender identification category. NYRR acknowledges the developmental process in creating new non-binary policies and standards. Time qualification standards may be subject to future change as we and the non-binary sports world continue to evolve.
If I update the gender identification category in my NYRR profile, will this selection carry over to Strava for virtual racing?
No. Your Strava profile is separate from your NYRR account, and updates you make to your profile on nyrr.org do not change your Strava profile. You can update your gender identification category in your Strava profile by following these instructions.
Do NYRR races have gendered heats?
NYRR races are organized by pace except for the professional fields. Non-binary professional athletes, please submit your inquiry via our Contact Us form in our Help Center. A few notable race changes:
- The New Balance 5th Avenue Mile has shifted to non-gendered age group heats
- NYRR Team Championships has shifted from two separate gendered races to one all-inclusive race
Do NYRR official charity teams offer a non-binary gender category?
Yes. The NYRR Official Charity Partner Program offers a non-binary category for the TCS New York City Marathon and United Airlines NYC Half.
Do Club Teams affiliated with NYRR offer a non-binary gender category?
Club Teams affiliated with NYRR manage their own membership programs. Currently, a select number of Club Teams offer a non-binary category but even if they do not, you can select your gender identification category as you set up your own NYRR profile. Please visit the Run with a Club page to find a list of local running clubs.
Does Club Points offer a non-binary category?
Yes. Club Points and scoring has been updated to include a non-binary category in the Open division. A runner’s gender identification at the time of registration is what will show in results and in the club points scoring. If a runner who changes their gender identification category in their NYRR account prior to participating in the event, please submit your inquiry via our Contact Us form in our Help Center and NYRR can make the update
Does Club Night honor winners in the non-binary category?
Yes. Starting with the Club Night being held in February 2023, NYRR will honor winners in three gender categories (Man, Woman, Non-Binary), across all age groups, though, there may be instances where age groups in the non-binary category are not yet filled (and therefore not awarded).
Does the NYRR President’s Circle Program offer a non-binary category?
Yes. The NYRR President’s Circle Program page has been updated to include time qualification standards for the non-binary gender category.
How is prize money structured?
Please visit the Prize Money page to learn more about which races offer prize money, how prize money is structured, and eligibility criteria.
Are race awards (overall and age-group) offered to top non-binary finishers?
Yes. The top three overall finishers in each gender identification category will have awards available on-site for the post-race awards ceremony, except for those events with a professional athlete field. Age-group awards are available for individuals to claim post-race, with details on how to claim on each race page.
To be eligible for an award:
- any change in a participant’s NYRR gender profile must have occurred at least three months prior to race day;
- the participant’s gender profile at the time of race registration must match the participant’s gender profile on race day; and
- after the participant initially registered for the race, the participant must not have requested a change to their gender identity on their race registration and must not have changed their NYRR gender profile prior to race day; and
- all participants must comply with all NYRR race policies, including but not limited to the Code of Conduct and the Rules of Competition.
Is there a tape break for the top non-binary finisher?
The majority of NYRR races do include a tape break for the top runners in each gender identification category. The only exception to this is there will not be a tape break for non-binary athletes in races with a professional field.
What credentials are needed to pick up race materials?
Participants are required to present a valid photo identification when picking up their race materials for major events (TCS New York City Marathon, United Airlines NYC Half, and RBC Brooklyn Half). Staff will then verify the runner’s first and last name only to match that of registration.
Proxy pick-up is allowed for the United Airlines NYC Half and the RBC Brooklyn Half Marathon; the proxy must present a copy of the individual’s ID, which must match the name of the registered runner.
What if the gender on my photo ID does not match my NYRR registered gender category?
This is not an issue; when a valid photo ID is required, staff will verify only that a runner’s first and last name on their ID match the name in their registration.
Does NYRR have gender neutral facilities?
Yes. The NYRR RUNCENTER has all gender bathrooms and lockers, and all NYRR races provide all gender portable toilets on site.