When you have nearly half a million followers on Instagram, you aren’t or can’t be just a regular marathoner. Case in point was when a former football player Matt Choi decided to make this year’s New York Marathon — which he ran in under three hours — an entourage with a camera crew on e-bikes in tow. An immediate outcry led the New York Road Runners to burn bridges with the influencer for the benefit of the other 54,000 people running the marathon. What really happened?

Eventually finishing the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course with a time of 2:57:15, about 50 minutes behind winner Abdi Nageeye, videos on social media went viral shortly after that highlighted the two riders, in high-visibility vests, slalomed between runners on rented Citi Bikes for stretches of the course which were interspersed tightly packed. Choi was criticized left, right, and center — and was even hailed as “bad for the sport.”

Not only did the organizers disqualify him with the results removed, but the 29-year-old’s antics have seen him get a lifetime ban from all races in the future organized by them. This came after a review found that he had violated World Athletics rules and code of conduct and rules of competition of the New York Road Runners by having the assistance of two unauthorized people whom he identified as his brother and a videographer.

“This wasn’t a video I was planning on making, but I have no excuses. Full stop, I was selfish on Sunday to have my brother and my videographer follow me around on the course on e-bikes,” said the Matt Choi Show host. While many influencers have faced backlash for half-baked apologies, Choi didn’t beat around the bush and admitted to endangering other runners.

“We impacted people going for PBS. We blocked them from getting water. And with the New York City Marathon being about everyone else and the community, I made it about myself and anyone I impacted. I’m sorry,” the track and field athlete said in his video. The influencer didn’t try to blame his videographer or brother either and said they were there under his instructions. He is apologetic, sure, but wasn’t it a long time coming?

The first time Choi faced a backlash for his activities was during last year’s Houston Marathon in January. he ran a 2:59:35 in the event and as usual, documented the event. But Derek Murphy of marathoninvestigation.com noticed that there was no record of him in the results. Murphy had initially thought Choi had run it without signing up for the event.

However, Choi did have a bib, and Murphy concluded that it was a case of “bib mule,” meaning he had run with someone else’s bib and helped them hit a fast time or qualifying standard. Choi indeed did that, because his 2:59 was good enough to secure a spot in the 2024 Boston Marathon. Choi apologized for his actions, claiming he forgot to sign up for the race and wore the bib of a friend who was injured and could no longer run the race. Barely after a month, Choi returned with one more controversy in February 2023.

Ironically, that also took place in a Texas event: The Austin Marathon. Just like in New York, on that occasion also, a two-person camera crew reportedly followed Choi on e-bikes, disregarding other runners. Derek Murphy of marathoninvestigation.com posted a note he received from an Austin Half-Marathon finisher who saw Choi and his team on the race course. “[Choi] and his crew totally ruined the race experience with his media-circus-posse,” read the message.

According to their inputs, the persons recording repeatedly rode onto the course, blocking and cutting off other runners to get the best shots of Choi. “Not only is this dangerous, but it is also extremely inconsiderate,” the runner wrote. They revealed that they even approached Choi and his team asking to stop disrupting the race, “but this request was ignored.” While all these and the fresh incident definitely did not do any good to Choi, this time the fans cannot help but praise him for graciously taking complete accountability.

Matt Choi’s humble gesture toward NYRR’s decision

“There’s growth in every lesson learned” commented one follower. The marathoner’s display of humility and apology to whoever faced issues due to his actions won the respect of many fans. “I respect the accountability here. Life goes on,” commented one Instagram user, urging the athlete to move on. And that’s exactly what the 29-year-old said he plans to do.

“I got an email from New York Road Runners last night about the DQ and the lifetime ban at all future NYRR events. And although there’s an opportunity to appeal it, I’m not going to. I made my bed, so I’m going to lay it.” explained Choi. Once again, his decision to respect the ban earned further backing from the community. “Respect brother. Live and learn!” commented a follower.

However, you may be wondering why the NYRR took such a drastic step. After all, they banned Matt Choi from every future NRYY event, including half-marathons and more. One explanation would be NRYY’s actions towards cyclists at this year’s New York Marathon. This year, the organizers banned the two-decade-old pre-marathon cycling joy ride tradition.

Every year, cyclists take to the streets of New York at dawn on the day of the marathon to ride along the 26.2-mile course on their bikes. However, after learning about at least one crash at last year’s joyride, the NRYY banned the event, causing much uproar among the cycling community. Hence, showing leniency toward Choi would’ve been counterintuitive.

However, NYRR didn’t just send an email to the runner. They also released a public statement highlighting the fact that their decision came after a “review” of the incidents. The organizers explained that the 29-year-old “ran with the assistance of two unauthorized people riding the course on electric bicycles, obstructing runners.” The NYRR found such behavior inexcusable. They also added that Choi violated World Athletics rules alongside the NYC Marathon Code of Conduct.

Although the long-distance runner doesn’t plan to appeal the decision, some fans are hopeful that NYRR may lift the ban in the future. “Way to own your mistake, it takes character and courage to do it. I hope they lift the ban! Stay hard!” commented one hopeful fan. Choi also revealed that this isn’t the first time he has been called out for using e-bikes during races.

However, Matt Choi promised his audience that he would stop using them on all future races. “E-bikes don’t belong in races. No excuses,” the social media star wrote in his caption. The 29-year-old had violated the rules and caused some inconvenience. However, seeing him admit to his mistakes with no strings attached also helped many enthusiasts accept him as an advocate for the sport.

“Such an advocate for the sport, and running itself. Love you, dude,” wrote an Instagram user in admiration. The New York Road Runner may not be ready to forgive the runner for his transgression. However, it seems the track and field community has already done it. What did you think of the runner’s apology? Let us know in the comments.