A poster reading “Welcome, runners” was displayed at a Nike store on Newbury Street in Boston ahead of the marathon and quickly drew criticism. The sign, which was removed shortly after posting, has been accused of humiliating pedestrians by implying that non-runners should not be present.
The incident has generated significant online backlash, with many runners and social media users condemning the wording as discriminatory. One marathon participant created a counterposter stating: “It doesn’t matter at what speed, the main thing is not to stop.” Another runner, who walks with a spinal injury requiring regular breaks, noted that the slogan was inappropriate for those unable to run.
Nike acknowledged the issue, stating they intended to support runners but admitted one of their signs did not meet expectations. The company apologized and promised improvements.
