Chris Rock references running during his opening Oscars monologue

They look better in 3D #oscars pic.twitter.com/Xc8tKOem1P

— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016

American actor and comedian, Chris Rock was the host at the 88th Academy Awards (more popularly known as the Oscars) on Sunday evening in Los Angeles. The annual ceremony recognizes excellence in motion picture.

During his opening monologue, people of the running community may have taken note since Rock referenced track and field at one point.

“There’s no real reason for there to be a men and a women category in acting. It’s not track and field. You don’t have to separate them. You know, Robert De Niro has never said, “I’d better slow this acting down so Meryl Streep can catch up.”

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The remark was not without controversy as many argue that distinct categories promote the idea that men and women approach their work differently. His point raises concerns surround the tradition of the Oscars and whether there should be distinct divisions between categories.

#Oscars #MarkRuffalo pic.twitter.com/a73KKltMB2

— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) February 29, 2016

Rock also hosted the Oscars in 2005 but as far as we know, there were no running-related tidbits during any of his monologues.