Operating the New York Marathon had at all times been a bucket record purpose for Gayle Redmon of Flint, U.Ok. She had deliberate to perform this purpose on Sunday morning, however occasion organizers knowledgeable her she couldn’t run together with her operating vest as per New York Highway Runners (NYRR) guidelines. She accuses the group of discrimination.
Redmon at all times runs together with her operating vest to carry her colostomy bag. She has beforehand worn the vest on the Paris and London marathons. She informed the BBC that she requires it for self-catheterization six occasions a day as a consequence of a number of surgical procedures for endometriosis.
“I carry large volumes of fluids on my actually lengthy coaching runs,” mentioned Redmond. Her vest additionally carries provides for her stoma.
Gayle Redmon a Runner with stoma pressured to withdraw 2023 New York Metropolis Marathon over bag guidelines !!
Gayle has a stoma and must self-catheterise six occasions a day following surgical procedures for endometriosis.
Gayle has discovered sure aides to assist her race and has competed in quite a few… pic.twitter.com/wF6L6i3kd6
— Sprints.sc (@SprintsSc) November 5, 2023
Redmon offered race organizers with pictures of her vest, exhibiting pouches for a water bag and a straw for steady hydration. Her situation makes her inclined to dehydration. She even registered as a disabled runner for the marathon, which permits racers to make use of the mandatory tools to finish the race.
Nevertheless, NYRR, the occasion’s organizers, knowledgeable Redmon that solely waist belts could be allowed, which couldn’t accommodate her stoma. Though NYRR steered a transparent backpack for carrying water, Redmon indicated it couldn’t maintain all her mandatory provides.
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NYRR maintains their coverage towards operating packs for the security of different runners, allowing solely clear packs. “We goal to supply cheap lodging in accordance with native legal guidelines and federal ADA pointers to make sure runners of all skills have entry to our races whereas making certain the security of everybody concerned.”
“I’m disenchanted that they couldn’t discover a technique to embody me. I really feel discriminated towards,” Redmon informed the BBC. She acknowledged that the Equality Act within the U.Ok. and the People with Disabilities Act are comparable and cheap lodging ought to have been made.
Redmon talked about that NYRR provided some lodging, however they weren’t appropriate for her wants.
