Dublin Marathon’s decision to introduce a non-binary category this year is “hugely important” to members of the community. 

That’s according to Mark Armstrong of the Dublin Front Runners - an LGBT inclusive athletics club.

A non-binary individual is someone whose gender identity is neither male or female.

Until now, if they wanted to compete in the marathon, non-binary people have been forced to choose to run in either the male or female category - something that makes many of them feel uncomfortable.

“[Today’s news is] hugely important to some of our members,” Mr Armstron said.

“They see it that they can participate in the Dublin City Marathon quite freely and in the gender that they wish to be known as.”

Every June, the Dublin Front Runners organises a Pride Run and roughly a 1,000 people take part in it.

This year, 70 non-binary people took part in the event and Mr Armstong believes this is proof there will be demand for the new category.

T4D0C1 Dublin, OCT 28: Many people running in the 2018 KBC Dublin Marathon on OCT 28, 2018 at Dublin, Ireland

“It just shows the appetite that is there,” he said.

“We’d actively encourage Athletics Ireland to take onboard that need.”

Mr Armstrong said he hopes this is just the beginning and other events will also introduce a non-binary category.

“We want to work closely with Athletics Ireland in the coming months to really get that over the line and have that infrastructure in place,” he said.

Anyone who wishes to compete in the non-binary category has until the end of the month to inform Dublin Marathon of their decision.

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Main image: The Dublin Marathon.