Matt Choi Banned for Life from New York Marathon

Matt Choi, a running influencer with over 400,000 Instagram followers, has been banned for life from the New York City Marathon after he brought two e-bike riders to film him during the race, violating competition rules. The New York Road Runners (NYRR) disqualified Choi's time and banned him from future events after he acknowledged that his actions endangered fellow runners and disrupted the race. In an apology posted on Instagram, Choi admitted to being selfish and expressed regret for prioritizing his personal ambitions over the integrity of the marathon and the safety of others. He stated, 'I f**ked up' and accepted full accountability, noting that this incident raised concerns about influencer responsibility in competitive sports. Choi has chosen not to appeal the ban, recognizing the seriousness of his actions and the impact they had on other participants. The fallout from this incident may also affect his partnerships, as one organization has already terminated its relationship with him.