Victory in Marathon Racial Justice Case
Women-of-Color-Led Running Group Profiled And Mistreated At Marathon By Race Organizers and City of Newton
Just weeks before the 2025 Boston Marathon, TrailblazHers Run Co., and its founding members––Abeo Powers, Elizabeth Rock, and Frances Ramirez––have secured a major victory in their federal race discrimination lawsuit against the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) and the City of Newton.
The lawsuit stems from the 2023 Boston Marathon, where spectators of color at TrailblazHers’ cheer zone were unjustly targeted by Newton police officers in response to a complaint from the BAA, the race organizer. In a crucial victory for racial justice, U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani rejected attempts by the Defendants to dismiss key claims in the lawsuit, allowing TrailblazHers, represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR), to continue their legal challenge against both entities.
The ruling affirms that private organizations working closely with law enforcement can be held accountable for discriminatory actions. It also holds that the TrailblazHers’ Complaint sufficiently alleged that the “BAA was operating in a symbiotic relationship with the Newton Police Department” and that the BAA treated spectators of color more harshly than white spectators, engaging in an “increasingly outsized response” against those in the TrailblazHers spectator zone. TrailblazHers cited examples of white spectators running onto the Marathon course to feed or hug participants who received no intervention from the BAA or the Newton Police, in sharp contrast to the treatment that those in TrailblazHers’ cheer zone received.
Significantly, the Court also refused to dismiss TrailblazHers’ claims under the Massachusetts Public Accommodations Law, rejecting the Defendants’ argument that the Boston Marathon is not a place of public accommodation. Citing the Marathon’s presence on public streets and its tradition of open public spectatorship, the Court reaffirmed that spaces where people gather to celebrate and support runners must remain free from racial discrimination.
“This ruling is a crucial step toward justice for TrailblazHers and all those who were targeted simply for showing up in support of their community,” said Mirian Albert, Senior Attorney at LCR. “The BAA should be ashamed of itself for continuing this fight against spectators of color, instead of enacting reforms to make sure that this type of egregious racial profiling does not occur at the Boston Marathon ever again,” she added.
“Today, we stand on the side of justice, progress, and truth. The court’s decision to move forward with our case against both the BAA and the City of Newton is more than just a legal victory—it is a resounding affirmation that our voices matter, our experiences are valid, and our fight for equity in running is necessary,” said Elizabeth Rock, founding member of TrailblazHers.
“For too long, spaces that should uplift and empower all runners have instead silenced, excluded, and policed Black and Brown bodies. But we refuse to be erased. TrailblazHers Run Co. was built on the foundation of creating safe, inclusive, and unapologetic spaces for women to move freely, to be seen, and to belong. We will not stop until every runner regardless of race, gender, or background can experience the joy and power of movement without barriers or discrimination,” said Abeo Powder, founding member of TrailblazHers.
“This case is not just about us. It is about every runner who has been told they do not belong. It is about dismantling the systemic inequities embedded in our sport. It is about holding institutions accountable and demanding better,” said Frances Ramirez, founding member of TrailblazHers. “We are here. We are strong. And we are just getting started,” she added.
Sophia Hall, LCR’s Deputy Litigation Director, added: “This case is about ensuring that every spectator, regardless of race, can cheer on Marathon runners and experience the joy of the Boston Marathon without fear of unjust policing.”
TrailblazHers Run Co. and Lawyers for Civil Rights will continue this fight to ensure that future Boston Marathons – and other large, public events – remain welcoming and inclusive for all spectators, regardless of race.