Run a marathon as a horse! Literally...

I decided today to check out the information for the Tucson Marathon online to figure out when it is, how much the entry fee is, the course, FAQs, etc. for fun.  I'm contemplating doing the half marathon since it's only 6 weeks after the previous half marathon I will have done.  In any case, I noticed a category on the registration form that said "Clydesdales/Fillies."  Huh?  Do horses run in this marathon?  Truly confused.  I looked through all the information online to figure out what it was but nothing was clear, so I decided to email the race director and just ask.  She emailed back:  this was a category for people that "weighed more," and it encompassed men 190+ lbs and women 140+ lbs. 

W.T.F.  Seriously?  Did she just tell me that there's a category for HEAVY people?!?  Now, I realize that most marathon runners are stick people, but SERIOUSLY?!??  I must not have understood her correctly or the purpose of such a category.  So, I emailed her back:  why do these categories exist?  Her answer:  to be able to give out more awards/plaques to more people.  You don't have to be in this category if you're over that weight line, but you might be more likely to win a prize in that category than if you ran in the "normal" category. 

Let me get this straight (and I'll just refer to women here since that's how I'm thinking):  if a woman who weighs over 140 lbs registers for the marathon, she is considered a "Filly."  Even if this woman is 6'2" and her healthy weight range is 156-195 lbs, she's considered "heavy" if she's over 140, no matter how athletic, fit, and/or able she is.  EXCUSE ME?  A 6'2" woman would be f*ing anorexic if she tried to weigh 140 lbs!!!!  What about someone like me, who isn't super skinny but is in shape?  I'm 20 lbs over the Filly limit - am I a fat ass, heavy, and horse-like?!??  WHY THE F* DOES THIS CATEGORY EXIST IF NOT TO JUST INSULT PEOPLE WHO AREN'T LITTLE WAIFS??!?????

I get that it's nice to have more awards to hand out to people.  I get that most people can't compete with the "professional" runners who will be running the race.  HOWEVER, I take great exception to an event actually having a category that is basically deemed for the "fat" runners.  It seriously makes me take pause and wonder if I should be supporting an organization/event that does that.  Why make the distinction?  Why not just divide it up by other categories beyond age group and sex?  I still can't make any heads or tails about this kind of thing.  It's honestly made me feel like a huge fatty fatty fat freak all day, and it makes me feel like my running is worthless.  I know that's not the case, but really?  WTF.