New mother marathon runner alleges threats following comments on trans athletes
US Olympic middle distance runner Nikki Hiltz sparked controversy with a recent TikTok post featuring an interview clip of women’s marathon runner Natalie Daniels. The post, which came just days before Daniels was set to compete in the Boston Marathon, highlighted Daniels’ concerns about biologically male transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
In the TikTok video, Hiltz encouraged Daniels to drop out of the marathon due to her stance against trans inclusion in women’s sports. Hiltz, who identifies as transgender and non-binary, is known for promoting pro-transgender beliefs and advocating for trans inclusion in sports.
The post quickly garnered attention, with many of Hiltz’s followers sending Daniels hateful messages and threats. Daniels was shocked by the backlash and received messages that were not only cruel but also threatening towards her and her family.
Despite the negativity, Daniels stood her ground and decided to compete in the Boston Marathon. She was prepared for potential attacks and heckling on the course but was pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming support she received from spectators. Daniels had one of her best finishes, crossing the finish line in 110th place with a time of 2:50:04.
The experience helped validate Daniels’ decision to speak out against trans inclusion in women’s sports. She believes that there is a societal pressure to conform to a narrow definition of womanhood, which includes access to abortion. Daniels’ decision to stand up for women’s sports was met with praise and support from many.
However, Daniels faced backlash from her running club, Light Horse Track Club, which was more aligned with Hiltz’s views. The club allegedly pressured Daniels to issue an apology and publicly acknowledge the ability for a biological male to become a woman, which she refused to do. As a result, Daniels was removed from the team.
Undeterred, Daniels is now starting her own running club with XX-XY Athletics founder Jennifer Sey. She remains committed to advocating for women’s sports and keeping trans athletes out of women’s competitions. Despite the challenges she has faced, Daniels is looking forward to raising her family and continuing her role in the movement.
The Light Horse Track Club did not respond to requests for comment on the situation. The controversy surrounding Daniels and Hiltz highlights the ongoing debate over trans inclusion in women’s sports and the challenges faced by athletes who speak out against it.
