Sara Anne Fay owns one of the most unique distinctions among the more than 13,000 people competing this weekend in the 44th annual Detroit Free Press Marathon lineup of races.
This year, she is running the half-marathon as a transgender woman. In previous years, she ran either the full 26.2-mile marathon or the half when she still identified as a man.
Fay, 63, who started hormone treatment in 2017 and last year underwent sex reassignment surgery, said she notices a big difference in how her body now responds to running and race training as compared to before.
The changes definitely slowed her down, she said, and way more than one expects from simply getting older.
“My stamina and strength have been impacted — I feel that every time I go out for a run,” she said. “So it takes me longer to get to my goal than it would be before. Some of it is certainly due to age, but I think the majority of it is the transition.”
On Sunday, Fay will join thousands in downtown Detroit for the 7 a.m. start of both the half and the full marathon. Because of COVID-19 border restrictions, neither race this year crosses into Canada and instead follow all-new routes in Detroit. Race organizers hope to bring back the international courses in 2022.
“That is unfortunate, but I understand,” Fay said. “Running across the bridge was always a highlight for me.”
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