Transgender runner Glenique Frank recently competed in the female category of the London Marathon, finishing 6,160th out of 20,123 women. However, after facing backlash, Frank has offered to return the medal he received for his performance. Frank, who had previously run in the NYC Marathon as a man, made use of a loophole in Athletics UK’s new rules. These rules exclude biological males who have gone through puberty from competing in women’s events but provide “transitional arrangements” for those who have already competed in a different category.
Frank completed the race in four hours, 11 minutes, and 28 seconds, which placed him in a significantly higher position compared to if he had competed in the men’s category. This led to criticism from two-time British Olympian Mara Yamauchi, who argued that Frank should not have competed in the female category.
In response to the backlash, Frank has offered to return his medal. “If they want me to give my medal back, I’ll say, ‘OK, fine. No problem,’” Fran told the New York Post.
He also mentioned that he would run again next year for charity. Frank has not apologized, insisting that he did not do anything wrong and that he was only sorry for “upsetting” his critics.
Frank acknowledged that he is not a woman but emphasized that he did not compete as an elite athlete and did not steal any money. He plans to compete in next year’s London Marathon but will check “male” or “other” on his entry form, rather than “female.” Despite Frank’s compliance with the new rules, Yamauchi has said that these rules remain “wrong and unfair” to biological women.
