NEW YORK –

In a shocking turn of events, social media influencer Matthew Choi from Texas has been banned from future New York City Marathons after his disqualification in last weekend's race. Choi, previously a football player for Monmouth University, drew widespread criticism for running with a film crew following him on electric bikes, causing disruption to the race.

According to a statement from the New York Road Runners, the esteemed organization behind the marathon, Choi's actions were in direct violation of the competition’s rules and the regulations set by World Athletics, the international governing body of the sport. "Choi's use of crew on e-bikes not only obstructed other runners but also created unsafe conditions on the course," they reported.

Choi completed the grueling 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) race with a time of 2:57:15, finishing significantly behind the winner, Abdi Nageeye. His participation was met with outcry from the running community, with some racers expressing their frustrations on social media. One participant shared on Reddit, "As a runner, seeing him was amazing. Gave me extra motivation to pass him and make sure I never had to see him and his dumb crew for the rest of the race."

In an unexpected twist, Choi took to Instagram to offer a public apology to fellow runners and the community. He admitted that his decision to bring along his brother and videographer on e-bikes was not only selfish but also jeopardized the running experience for many competitors. He noted that his actions had prevented some from achieving personal best times and even hindered access to essential water stations, where over 55,000 athletes competed.

“I have no excuses, full-stop,” Choi stated in a heartfelt video post. “I was selfish to make this about me instead of the community that the New York City Marathon represents. For anyone I impacted, I’m sincerely sorry.”

Despite having the option to appeal the decision, Choi seems to have accepted his fate. “I made my bed, so I’m gonna lay in it,” he said, acknowledging the previous backlash he faced for his filming practices during significant athletic events. "It won't happen again. My word is my bond."

This incident raises important conversations about the ethics of influencer culture in competitive sports and the potential hazards of prioritizing personal branding over the integrity of athletic events. As conversations continue in the wake of this controversy, many are left wondering what measures will be taken to ensure a fair and safe environment for all participants in future races.

Stay tuned for updates as the running community processes these developments and holistic changes to enforce race regulations!