Womens only Marathon

[robbelg]

BBC News keep refering to the Womens only Marathon rather than just the Womens Marathon.
Is this a Trans issue or just a BBC quirk?

Rob

[dealtn]

BBC News keep refering to the Womens only Marathon rather than just the Womens Marathon.
Is this a Trans issue or just a BBC quirk?

Rob

Neither.

Women can either compete in a marathon that is open to all, which allows them to be "paced" by surrounding men competing in the same race - which provides an advantage in producing a slightly faster time; or compete in a race that is only for women only.

These can happen within the same "marathon" if you have different routes or start times. So by having the elite women set off 30 minutes before the men, they will finish their race before even the fastest men can catch them up. You get a true women only race.

[GrahamPlatt]

BBC News keep refering to the Womens only Marathon rather than just the Womens Marathon.
Is this a Trans issue or just a BBC quirk?

Rob

Neither.

Women can either compete in a marathon that is open to all, which allows them to be "paced" by surrounding men competing in the same race - which provides an advantage in producing a slightly faster time; or compete in a race that is only for women only.

These can happen within the same "marathon" if you have different routes or start times. So by having the elite women set off 30 minutes before the men, they will finish their race before even the fastest men can catch them up. You get a true women only race.

Or just set the ladies off at the same time, but a bit closer to the finish line, like they do in golf.
Different route.. different drive,… different race/game entirely. I’d still say “women’s” & not women-only though. The latter sounds as (is as) sexist as men-only.

[chas49]

Or just set the ladies off at the same time, but a bit closer to the finish line, like they do in golf.
Different route.. different drive,… different race/game entirely. I’d still say “women’s” & not women-only though. The latter sounds as (is as) sexist as men-only.

Because it wouldn't be a marathon then?

[GrahamPlatt]

Or just set the ladies off at the same time, but a bit closer to the finish line, like they do in golf.
Different route.. different drive,… different race/game entirely. I’d still say “women’s” & not women-only though. The latter sounds as (is as) sexist as men-only.

Because it wouldn't be a marathon then?

Glad that you agree - it would not be the same race.

But whatever, the distance and route have always been in dispute https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marathon#History