INTERNET HELL — Wielding the immense power of a single Threads post, a prominent content creator and outspoken opponent of gatekeeping in running declared that professional runners should no longer be allowed in local or destination races, citing the need to keep the sport inclusive.
The influencer bolstered his case by citing several supposed advantages professional runners enjoy, including having their names on bibs instead of numbers, access to special warm-up areas at major races, starting before everyone else, and perhaps most damning of all, having a chance to win a race any other day. When reached for comment, several leading running experts confirmed that professional runners are not automatically guaranteed to win any race they enter.
The post came just one day after a Boston Marathon champion, two-time Olympian, 50K world record holder, and widely respected figure in the sport, won the Disney Princess Half Marathon. The race, sponsored by one of the pro’s sponsors, is a celebratory, family-friendly event where runners often compete in costume while racing through the Walt Disney World theme park.
Firmly believing he has the authority to decide who gets to race when, the content creator noted he’d “allow” pros to run races they don’t typically participate in—seemingly ignoring the fact that the pro runner he’s clearly targeting had never previously raced the half marathon in question and now primarily competes in trail races.
In an Instagram post following the race, the pro runner said she had fun participating in the event and praised her fellow racers for lacing up and chasing their dreams. Reactions to the post overwhelmingly suggested runners were thrilled to have shared the course with her.
At press time, the content creator was reportedly still debating whether professional runners should be allowed to participate in social media.
