Gender Policy
At Coast Mountain Trail Running (CMTR), we strive to create and foster a culture of inclusivity. While we have designed a trail running experience that is daunting and challenging for our runners, it is critically important to us that our participants are accepted and welcomed at all of our events. With this in mind, we have established a Transgender & Non-Binary Runner Policy for all CMTR events.
Entrance Policy for Transgender Athletes
We will accept each entrant’s declared gender at face value, and no additional supporting evidence is required.
A transgender female (male-to-female) entrant can register to compete as a female, provided they have undergone continuous, medically supervised hormone treatment for gender transition for at least one year prior to the race.
A transgender male (female-to-male) entrant can register to compete as a male.
Transgender male runners cannot register to compete as a female if they have begun hormone treatment for gender transition, that includes testosterone or any other banned substance (as defined by the World Antidoping Agency).
Runners may compete in the category of their sex assigned at birth if they have not undergone hormone treatment.
Challenges of Results Involving Transgender Athletes
CMTR has adopted this policy and the ability to challenge results out of a desire for inclusion and fairness. As such, we expect all parties to behave in a manner that is honest, compassionate, and respectful. We will not tolerate hateful or discriminatory behavior by any of our runners, or those associated with the race, regardless of the cause.
Challenges may be made to results, which are directly related to a runner’s self- declared gender, only when a top 5 position is at stake. A challenge must be made in writing or email to the Race Directors within 72 hours of race completion and must be submitted privately and with the utmost discretion and respect for all parties involved. We request that neither party publicly post or discuss the challenge until a decision has been reached by the race. Challenges not related to a runner’s gender status, such as course cutting or other rule violations, will be handled via our standard review and inquiry process.
In the event of a challenge, or as deemed necessary, CMTR may request supporting documentation from a medical professional. Transgender entrants, at their option, may provide medical documentation related to their transition to the Race Directors and/or Medical Director(s) prior to the race. All information about the runner’s medical details, including any information provided pursuant to this policy, will be kept strictly confidential. The Race Directors, with input from the Medical Director(s), will review the relevant facts and make a final decision.
If the runner is not in compliance with this policy, they will forfeit any place positions but will retain their official finish. Any announcements made by the race will simply state whether a runner was or was not in compliance with our policy and the associated action taken by the race. We will not disclose, unless requested or allowed by the transgender runner, any medical information related to the decision.
Entrance Policy for Non-Binary Athletes
Since 2021, CMTR has offered a non-binary registration category option for runners, as well as an option if you ‘prefer not to disclose’. These options will appear when creating a Race Roster account, and will auto-populate when you register for an event. If you already have an account you may want to edit your account to change your gender response, but you can also update this during registration.
Please note, currently there will be no podium awards in the non-binary category. If you identify as non-binary but would like to compete for place awards we ask that you register for the category of your sex assigned at birth. We will revisit the ability and need to add CMTR podium awards annually, based on uptake at registration.
We will review this policy annually to ensure everything is up to date and equitable. Please contact the Race Directors at run@trailrunning.ca if you have any questions, comments, or feedback.
The CMTR team has put extensive time into researching and developing this policy, with input from BC, Canadian and International sport organizations. We owe a special thanks to the organizers of the Western States, and Run the Rut for laying the groundwork for this policy, and Run the Rut specifically for granting us permission to build on their policy wording as a starting point.