Rach McBride blog: Competing in a non-binary category a 'profound experience'

Rach McBride is hitting the dirt in 2022
Rach McBride is hitting the dirt in 2022 (Image credit: Ben Owens Photography)

Rach McBride is a professional triathlete who will turn to the dirt in 2022 to race the Life Time Grand Prix gravel series, which boasts a $250,000, split equally between men and women. McBride is listed in the women's category but identifies as non-binary and will blog about their experience in the series for Cyclingnews.

I've been a full-time professional triathlete for over a decade racing in the female category. Throughout my career as an athlete (and in so many other aspects of life), I have always felt out of place. When the announcers called up all the "ladies" at the start line, or I had to check off that "F" box on registration forms, that just didn't feel like me. Everything clicked into place when I realized I was actually gender non-binary. It made me see the "why" behind the oddness I had felt in sport.

In triathlon, the inclusion of non-binary categories is almost non-existent, and there is definitely not much of an elite field as of yet. I am grateful that many races are stepping up to create a more inclusive space and had been working with some local race organizers to start offering a third category. Life Time Events first came onto my radar when I learned they were creating a non-binary race category in ALL of their events from 2020 onward.

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Rach McBride
Blogger

Rach is a professional triathlete turned gravel racer, paving the way for non-binary athletes to experience the joy, adventure and challenge of elite sport. They will be competing in the Life Time Series of gravel races for the first time in 2022 and will be writing out the experience for Cyclingnews.