Nike put up a Boston Marathon sign on Newbury Street that read: “Runners welcome. Walkers tolera...
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Only In Boston is a popular X account dedicated to sharing unique, local stories, events, and quirks from the Boston area. Their style is casual, humorous, and community-focused, often highlighting viral moments with a touch of sarcasm. The account has strong credibility among locals for timely, accurate coverage of city happenings.
What's This About?
The content details a Nike promotional sign at their Newbury Street store in Boston reading 'Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated.,' put up ahead of the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026. It sparked major backlash for pace-shaming and excluding slower runners, walkers, and those with disabilities, contradicting the marathon's inclusive spirit where about 10% of bibs go to charity and non-qualifiers.[1][2][3] Nike quickly removed the sign on April 17 or 18 and apologized, stating they aim to welcome all runners regardless of pace and will learn from the misstep.[1][2][3] Key themes include marketing fails, inclusivity in sports, and the tension between elite performance and accessibility in marathons.
🔥Why It's Trending
This is trending due to its timing just days before the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2026, amplifying discussions during race week.[1][3] The swift backlash on social media, involving runners, disability advocates, and the running community, fueled viral shares.[2][3] Nike's quick apology added to the conversation on brand accountability and inclusive marketing.
💡Fun Facts
- 1The sign was up for about a week before removal, spotted near the marathon finish line on Newbury Street.[3]
- 2Boston Marathon sells ~10% of bibs to charity, influencers, and non-qualifiers, emphasizing inclusivity.[1]
- 3One runner countered with a poster: 'No matter the speed, forward is a pace,' proud of their 6-hour finish and $21K charity raise.[2]
- 4Nike described it as one of several signs to encourage runners, but this one 'missed the mark.'[1][2]
- 5Some defended it as 'edgy marketing' fitting the elite, qualifying nature of the Boston Marathon.[3]
📚Read More
Nike removes controversial Boston Marathon sign after major backlash - Canadian Running Magazine
The slogan, "Runners welcome. Walkers tolerated," was found outside Nike's flagship location, igniting controversy across the internet
Nike Removes Controversial Sign in Boston That Read, ‘Runners Welcome. Walkers Tolerated’
After online backlash, the brand took down the sign on Newbury Street that was put up ahead of the Boston Marathon.
UPDATE: Nike puts up new sign on Newbury Street after removing controversial one
Local runners and disabled athletes said the sign outside the company's store was offensive.
https://marathonhandbook.com/nike-pulls-walkers-tolerated-sign-from-boston-store-after-runners-push-back/
https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/nike-removes-controversial-sign-that-drew-widespread-criticism-vows-to-do-better
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🇺🇸 The full manifesto of WHCD gunman Cole Allen has been obtained by the New York Post. Key takeaways: - A 31-year-old California teacher who described himself as "half-black, half-white" - Sent the 1,052-word document to family 10 minutes before the attack - Targeted Trump administration officials by rank, explicitly excluded Kash Patel - Used buckshot deliberately to minimize collateral casualties - Described Secret Service security as "actually insane" and said he walked in with multiple weapons undetected - "If I was an Iranian agent instead of an American citizen, I could have brought a Ma Deuce in here and no one would have noticed" - Ended the manifesto: "It's awful. I want to throw up. Can't really recommend it. Stay in school, kids." Full manifesto: "Hello everybody! So I may have given a lot of people a surprise today. Let me start off by apologizing to everyone whose trust I abused. I apologize to my parents for saying I had an interview without specifying it was for “Most Wanted.” I apologize to my colleagues and students for saying I had a personal emergency (by the time anyone reads this, I probably most certainly DO need to go to the ER, but can hardly call that not a self-inflicted status.) I apologize to all of the people I traveled next to, all the workers who handled my luggage, and all the other non-targeted people at the hotel who I put in danger simply by being near. I apologize to everyone who was abused and/or murdered before this, to all those who suffered before I was able to attempt this, to all who may still suffer after, regardless of my success or failure. I don’t expect forgiveness, but if I could have seen any other way to get this close, I would have taken it. Again, my sincere apologies. On to why I did any of this: I am a citizen of the United States of America. What my representatives do reflects on me. And I am no longer willing to permit a pedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes. (Well, to be completely honest, I was no longer willing a long time ago, but this is the first real opportunity I’ve had to do something about it.) While I’m discussing this, I’ll also go over my expected rules of engagement (probably in a terrible format, but I’m not military so too bad.) Administration officials (not including Mr. Patel): they are targets, prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest Secret Service: they are targets only if necessary, and to be incapacitated non-lethally if possible (aka, I hope they’re wearing body armor because center mass with shotguns messes up people who *aren’t* Hotel Security: not targets if at all possible (aka unless they shoot at me) Capitol Police: same as Hotel Security National Guard: same as Hotel Security Hotel Employees: not targets at all Guests: not targets at all In order to minimize casualties I will also be using buckshot rather than slugs (less penetration through walls) I would still go through most everyone here to get to the targets if it were absolutely necessary (on the basis that most people *chose* to attend a speech by a pedophile, rapist, and traitor, and are thus complicit) but I really hope it doesn’t come to that. Rebuttals to objections: Objection 1: As a Christian, you should turn the other cheek. Rebuttal: Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial. I’m not a schoolkid blown up or a child starved or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when *someone else* is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes. Objection 2: This is not a convenient time for you to do this. Rebuttal: I need whoever thinks this way to take a couple minutes and realize that the world isn’t about them. Do you think that when I see someone raped or murdered or abused, I should walk on by because it would be “inconvenient” for people who aren’t the victim? This was the best timing and chance of success I could come up with. Objection 3: You didn’t get them all. Rebuttal: Gotta start somewhere. Objection 4: As a half-black, half-white person, you shouldn’t be the one doing this. Rebuttal: I don’t see anyone else picking up the slack Objection 5: Yield unto Caesar what is Caesar’s. Rebuttal: The United States of America are ruled by the law, not by any one or several people. In so far as representatives and judges do not follow the law, no one is required to yield them anything so unlawfully ordered. I would also like to extend my appreciation to a great many people since I will not be likely to be able to talk with them again (unless the Secret Service is *astoundingly* incompetent.) Thank you to my family, both personal and church, for your love over these 31 years. Thank you to my friends, for your companionship over many years. Thank you to my colleagues over many jobs, for your positivity and professionalism. Thank you to my students for your enthusiasm and love of learning. Thank you to the many acquaintances I’ve met, in person and online, for short interactions and long-term relationships, for your perspectives and inspiration. 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