Non-binary winner in Boston Marathon proves male biology makes all the difference, critics say

A man dominated the 2025 Boston Marathon’s non-binary division on Monday, leading female sports advocates to point out the blatant advantages of male biology in women’s or mixed categories.

Whit Blair bested 70 runners to win the Boston Marathon’s non-binary category with a time of 2:22:47. The runner would have come in 60th place on the men’s side, according to the race’s results. However, in the non-binary division, Blair bested the runner-up by nearly five minutes.

Jennifer Sey, founder of pro-women brand XX-XY Athletics, ripped Blair’s victory.

“He is a man and should compete in men’s,” she posted on X. “They essentially have two men’s categories: men’s and non-binary. And even men can compete in women’s. What category is for women only? None.” 

Indeed, Blair has competed in the male category in the past few years – and excelled: 

• He won the male race of the Canyonlands Half Marathon in Utah last month with a time of 1:10:56. 

• Additionally, he won the Grand Mesa Ultras 55-kilometer in the men’s category in 2023, a 34.17-mile race in Colorado, finishing in 5:01:36.  

• According to Ultra Running Magazine, Blair finished in the top 10 of three other men’s races in 2023 and 2024. 

• He also notched a non-binary win at the Austin Rattler Run in Texas last November as the only non-binary entrant, running 50 kilometers, in 3:33:53, or 31.06 miles.   

Mara Yamauchi, a 2008 Olympic marathoner, said it wasn’t surprising to see Blair win the non-binary division. 

“1st Whit Blair – v good male ultra runner…,” she posted on X. “As in previous races, the NB category is dominated by men bc it is a mixed sex category. #sexnotgender.” 

The Boston Marathon’s non-binary division has existed since 2023. 

Although the men’s and women’s winners receive $150,000 each, the organizers don’t award the non-binary winner prize money. 

“Non-binary” is an umbrella term used to describe people who identify as something other than male or female. 

The nation’s oldest marathon also allows transgender-identifying males to compete in the women’s category. However, since it bases its prize money eligibility on World Athletics standards, male transgender athletes cannot receive prizes in the women’s category.