Trailblazing non-binary athlete Nikki Hiltz engaged to fellow runner Emma Gee
Emma Gee and Nikki Hiltz (Getty Images)
Trailblazing non-binary runner Nikki Hiltz is continuing their winning streak, having announced that they’re engaged to be married to fellow runner Emma Gee.
The happy couple announced the news in Instagram posts shared to their channels last week. One carousel shows Hiltz and Gee enjoying a sunset together in Sedona, Arizona while they each show off their respective engagement rings, with a caption reading: “Fiancé unlocked.”
The pair received many congratulations in the comments from the likes of queer One Tree Hill actress Sophia Bush, track star and Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas, and Olympic long distance runner Molly Seidel.
A second post from Hiltz showed a sweet video montage of the couple’s trip to Sedona set to Noah Kahan’s song ‘Forever’. Hiltz and Gee show off their ring fingers again and hug and kiss, before Hiltz lifts Gee up and twirls her around.
“When I was younger I used to dream that one day I would be brave enough to come out and that I would be lucky enough to find a woman to love and be loved by,” Hiltz wrote in the caption.
“Every time I hug [Emma Gee], go for a run, hold hands, or wake up next to her it’s a reminder that I’m living the life I once dreamed of. I think living in that constant state of gratitude is a big part of what makes queer love so magical,” Hiltz continues, deploying the rainbow and sparkle emojis for good measure.
“Here’s to forever, to showing up as ourselves and to dreams coming true (also I think younger me would be absolutely shook at how perfect my fiancé is).”
Gee herself shared her love in the comments, writing: “Awhhhh love you.”
Hiltz and Gee have been in a relationship since 2020, and now live in Flagstaff, Arizona together with their dog, Scout. The pair are both aiming to compete in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Gee first made a name for herself during her college days, when she became the first out LGBTQ+ student-athlete to compete for Brigham Young University. She recently competed in the Olympic trials in 2024 but was eliminated in the preliminary heats.
As an Olympic distance runner, Hiltz has won a raft of medals during their career, including a World Championships silver medal and several national titles, while also sharing their journey as a non-binary person and calling for greater LGBTQ+ inclusion in track and field.
In January, they were honoured by the LGBTQ Sports Hall of Fame when they were included in its Class of 2026 alongside the likes of All-American Girls Professional Baseball League star Maybelle Blair, newscaster Robin Roberts, lesbian tennis icon Billie Jean King, and the late gay basketballer Jason Collins.
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