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A discussion over on our Facebook page ignited a discussion about weight and racing that we wanted to share more widely.
Kali was recently signing up for a marathon, and she was debating signing up in Athena division, designated for women runners in this race who weigh more than 165 pounds. It’s the female equivalent of the Clydesdale division, which generally is applied to men who top 200 pounds.
SBS has run in Athena category when the marathon she was doing offered it. For Big Sur, weight was self-reported, but for Portland, it involved getting weighed at expo.
How ’bout you: If you qualify as an Athena, do you register for that category?
Laural said: Not a chance. I don’t fit into that category now (I used to). And there’s no chance ever that I’d weigh myself at an expo to get into a category. Not because there is anything wrong with it, but because I’m self-conscious about my weight.
Bertina said: It levels the playing field, so to speak. It’s unfair for a heavier runner to be grouped with someone who only weighs 125 pounds. It’s just another way to group runners and another category to place in. I’ve only ever been self reported. Not sure how I’d feel about the public weighing.
Nayo said: I don’t ever weigh myself due to an eating disorder. I would probably qualify for the Athena division but they can f*** right off if they expect me to get on a scale. The truth is I only compete against myself anyway so I’m not invested in ranking.
Estyr said: I hate the Athena category. As a 5′ 11″ woman I will always be Athena. I ‘get’ it for a performance sport where lighter is an advantage, but I still hate it. It makes me think about my size and creates a sense of ‘other’ when I am trying to celebrate my body and its strength. It’s like the plus clothing section in stores. Why can’t all sizes be together?
Robin said: I find a weight-only based distinction strange. A woman who is 6’ and 165 pounds is very different from a woman who is 5’5” and 165 — it can’t truly level the field. I fluctuate in and out of Athena — depending on how low the cutoff is — but I never register in it.
Sara said: I register as Athena at every race it is offered for (I usually race triathlons). It is a weight class like in boxing: as previous posters have mentioned, the energy expended by a 125 pound person vs a 195 pound person is widely different. I like competing against people who are similar to me. For those who think it is a way to get a medal when you might not podium in age group, know that the Athena category can be hugely harder to podium in, depending on where you are racing. I also believe it goes a long way toward making triathlons more inviting to plenty of newcomers. It also helps that the Athena racing community is, by far, the single most welcoming, helpful, knowledgeable, and badass group of athletes I have ever met.
So what do you think, BAMRs? Would you or do you register in the Athena category when it is offered? Why? And how do you feel about the public weigh-in?
While I wouldn’t qualify now, there was a time in my life when I would have. I don’t think it’s something I would have signed up for.
Yes, the heavier you are, the harder it is to run. No doubt about it. But instead of there being a category for women over a certain weight, shouldn’t there then be weight categories? And for some women, that IS a good weight for their height.
And as someone who has struggled my whole life with my weight, I definitely wouldn’t want a public weigh in. It almost seems like fat shaming, even though I know that’s not the intent.
I started running in 1970 and by the time I felt good enough to enter a race (1977) there were awards for first man and first woman. I even hate age group break downs (FIVE year increments??) The only time I wish there were awards for categories was when I was a single mom working full time with a small child. (SMWFTWSC). I would have appreciated THAT category!
I should probably do it- just another chance to place. But sometimes it feels like I am sorted out from the “real runners” when I do this. Just a mental issue I guess. Plus I hate getting on a scale- no one makes everyone else get on a scale to show they do NOT belong in this group. So yeah, apparently it hits a lot of hot buttons for me!
The term Athena holds a negative connotation for me, while I can see the reasoning some people may do it, I would never, and certainly NOT a public weigh-in. I’m 5’10 1/2″, so SHOULD be over 165 or wouldn’t be healthy. Maybe I should, as the tiny little winners are literally the size of one of my legs sometimes. Shorter ladies, enjoy your advantage!
I don’t often see Athena in running events in my area but it’s very common in triathlons. I’m not obese but I’m also not skinny, so at 5’8″ and anywhere from 170-190 lbs over the years, I always have the option of Athena. I hesitated at first, but quickly grew to like it. I’ve never been competitive in my age group, but I nearly always have a chance at placing in the Athena category and I find that can be really motivating!
I’ve entered tris at Athena dozens of times and never been asked to step on a scale. Maybe it’s obvious from my appearance that I fit? Ha. Honestly I wouldn’t have a problem being asked because I’ve reached the point in my life where I just don’t care…but I do feel like if races are going to do that, they need to be polite and sensitive about it.
I do agree with what others have said about weight being somewhat arbitrary since height is so intertwined with weight. As has been said, a woman who’s 5’10” and 165 is totally different than 5’2″.