After clocking a 2:39:06 time in last year’s Boston Marathon, a University of Vermont medical student won the non-binary division by making a massive record, making it an epochal win for people of their ilk. This striking win in 2023, after failing to finish the marathon in their first attempt, opened up greener pastures for other athletes to participate in the track and field run this season and for posterity, hopefully.

Gearing up for another glory in this year’s 2024 Boston Marathon which is scheduled on April 15, the Larner Class of 2025 student, spoke with NBC5 about their future aspirations and how their victory has majorly influenced many other athletes to compete in the Boston Marathon this year. Doors flung open and the clarion call for change resounding, how has their win extolled a difference?

Boston Marathon to grab attention this season with its favorite non-binary fixture

Kae Ravichandran told NBC5, “People were really happy that I was able to represent Vermont and the Larner College of Medicine on that stage.” In fact, according to the Boston Athletic Association, after the legendary performance on the track last year, the registrations this year have doubled for the nonbinary division. The former winner commented, “It’s going to be a lot more competitive this year which I’m super, super excited about.”

It is important to note that this segment of nonbinary division does not account for any prize pool for the winners. However, in spite of this Achilles Heel, being able to run through the entire marathon and come out with flying colors is in itself very glorifying for runners like Kae Ravichandran.

Kae Ravichandran’s monumental last year Boston Marahon finish

The Boston Marathon that was earlier catering to men and women marathon separately, now has stuck to the nonbinary division where both men and women compete together. Kae Ravichandran also expressed his thoughts on this amendment, “Before, Boston was so binary—and just, like, having that opportunity for you to represent yourself is absolutely amazing.” 

“I was in so much pain towards the end, but I think I mentally stayed with it, and overall it was pretty good,”  they exclaimed post the arduous win. While Kae Ravichandran emerged as the gallant winner last year eclipsing Cal Calamia, whose time was a whopping 2:51:00 and Mathew Powers of 2:54:54, will Ravichandran emerge as the victor yet again this year, despite even stiffer competition? Only time will tell.

Read More: Boston Marathon 2024: Are Controversies Clouding the Pride of This Historic Event?