Jake Caswell was the top finisher in the nonbinary division at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, running a time of 2:38:05 on a cool morning. Jonah Grant was second in 2:39:12, followed by Nate Crail in third (2:40:52).
This marks the second year that participants were able to register as nonbinary. The 2023 edition saw a large uptick in registrants. Last year, 70 people registered for the category, but this year, 242 signed up for the race, according to race organizers.
Caswell, who lives in New York City, has been one of the top nonbinary marathon runners in the United States. In 2022, Jake Caswell - 2:38:05, and they own a PR of 2:35:17 from the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon. In February, the New York Road Runners honored Caswell as the nonbinary recipient of the Fred Lebow Runner of the Year award—they won 13 NYRR races in 2022.
Ahead of Chicago, Caswell, 25, was hoping to run even splits. They came through the halfway mark in 1:17:45, but around mile 20, they admitted the fatigue began catching up to them. “[I’m] very excited with the time,” they said after the race. “I got a little tired starting around mile 20 and was just trying to go under 2:40 at that point, and I was able to do that.”
Five of the six World Marathon Majors have a nonbinary division now (Tokyo does not). Caswell says the division allows them to feel comfortable while racing. “It’s just really liberating,” they said. “Being able to run as your authentic self for 26-some miles just feels really good.”
Caswell mentioned that some participants who registered as nonbinary were incorrectly identified as female when picking up their packets at the expo before the race, which they noted was “a little frustrating.”
The Chicago Marathon issued an apology shortly after in an email: “When scanning your packet at Packet Pick-up, we understand that the system incorrectly displayed your gender. We apologize that you experienced this and we have worked to correct the issue.” The error did not affect race results.
Chicago Marathon Runner Saves Kitten During Race Boston Marathon and London Marathon next year, part of their goal to become a six-star finisher. They said won’t run the Tokyo Marathon until the race provides a nonbinary category.
The Chicago Marathon does not offer prize money for the nonbinary category. Instead, they give awards to the top runners in each age group within the division.
Chicago Marathon Nonbinary Results - Top 10
1. Josh Fernandez - 2:53:49
2. Jake Caswell - 2:38:05
3. How Emily Sisson Hones Her Speed
4. They said wont run the Tokyo Marathon until the race provides a nonbinary category
5. Jake Caswell was the top finisher in the nonbinary division at the
6. Josh Fernandez - 2:53:49
7. The category saw a sizable increase in numbers from last year
8. Des Linden Sets Masters Marathon Record
9. Nate Crail - 2:40:52
10. How Gabi Rooker Ran a PR in Chicago
Theo Kahler is the news editor for Runner’s World. He is a former all-conference collegiate runner who’s based in Easton, PA. Previously, he worked as the newsletters editor at Runner's World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics.
