Working the New York Marathon had at all times been a bucket record objective for Gayle Redmon of Flint, U.Okay. She had deliberate to perform this objective on Sunday morning, however occasion organizers knowledgeable her she couldn’t run along with her operating vest as per NYRR guidelines. She alleges discrimination towards the group.
Redmon at all times runs along with her operating vest to carry her colostomy bag. She has beforehand worn the vest on the Paris and London marathons. that she requires it for self-catheterization six occasions a day because of a number of surgical procedures for endometriosis.
“I carry big volumes of fluids on my actually lengthy coaching runs,” stated 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…
— Sprints.sc (@SprintsSc)
Redmon supplied race organizers with pictures of her vest, exhibiting pouches for a water bag and a straw for steady hydration. Her situation makes her vulnerable to dehydration. She even registered as a disabled runner for the marathon, which permits racers to make use of the required gear to finish the race.
Nonetheless, New York Highway Runners (NYRR), the occasion’s organizers, knowledgeable Redmon that solely waist belts can be allowed, which couldn’t accommodate her stoma. Though NYRR prompt a transparent backpack for carrying water, Redmon indicated it couldn’t maintain all her needed provides.
NYRR maintains their coverage towards operating packs for the protection of different runners, allowing solely clear packs. “We goal to offer 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 protection of everybody concerned.”
“I’m dissatisfied that they couldn’t discover a option to embrace me. I really feel discriminated towards,” Redmon . She acknowledged that the Equality Act within the U.Okay. and the Individuals with Disabilities Act are related and cheap lodging ought to have been made.
Redmon talked about that NYRR provided some lodging, however they weren’t appropriate for her wants.