In my opinion, it'd like saying piano is inaccessible because in order to play difficult pieces well, it requires you to learn tons of precise techniques. However, if you want to just learn some easier songs, have fun, and enjoy playing it, that's absolutely an option. and very accessible.
The same can be applied to speedrunning by learning easier routes, not doing glitches, etc. Just because tippy top level times are inaccessible to those who don't learn the hardest strategies, doesn't mean the categories themself are inaccessible as a result of that.
Like fady and hop are saying, even really good times are accessible to those who learn the easier routes/less trick heavy routes, with enough practice.
Accessibility shouldn't be based on how difficult optional strategies are imo
For Spyro 1:
PS2 w/ Fast Disc Speed (Fastest) PSTV Emulator* PS1 (Slowest)
*Only certain emulators are slightly faster than PS1. ePSXe has the least load times, but is the most inaccurate, and has the most input lag. Duckstation is slightly faster than PS1, is accurate enough for Spyro 1, and has the least input lag Mednafen has equal loads to ps1, is the most accurate ps1 emulator, and has ~similar input lag to Duckstation (~1 frame)
If you plan on running on emulator, I recommend Mednafen or Duckstation, due to ePSXe being quite inaccurate in comparison now-a-days.