The Matt Choi Situation - New York City Marathon Controversy

[@zarnyk6]

Yes Matt should be held accountable but how on earth did the NYRR not put a stop to this out on the course?

[@thespecialone7632]

Simple, they saw the hi-vis and the officilals thought "surely he's allowed since no one has stopped him by now"

[@gamemak0r]

Coordinating a world major is probably really hard. So, getting the correct permission to stop the cyclists and then coordinating with whoever is nearby would be a large reason why they couldn't do it.

[@dudefromlaveenaz]

​@gamemak0r BS. They are a professional organization. They need to police it, and enforce the rules they have in place, they do not police selfie sticks that are banned.

[@tkwasik]

They did - they banned mofo who break the rules Imo as he was warned they should bann him from all majors

[@thebullfighter6733]

It’s a combination of things with Matt, While I agree that what we see on social media and who he is don’t = the same thing. I’m sure he’s a super nice guy, it’s impossible to ignore recent events and trends. 1) His continuous disregard/ disrespect for the rules delineate his disregard for other people and runners on the course while racing. 2) His selfishness shows that he above all values his content creation over the wellbeing and potentially once in a lifetime experience for runners around him. Running a world major is incredibly expensive and most people probably won’t do many of them. 3)for the love of Christ put on a shirt man. It was near freezing in NYC. Not every damn price of content needs to be half naked. 😂

[@TheFODRunner]

Thanks for the mention Lloyd, appreciate it, glad you both are discussing this topic too!

[@demzre]

Have you watched Casey Neistat’s latest video? The popular influencer was also attempting a sub-3 marathon at the New York Marathon. In his race recap video, he used footage captured by his Rayban Meta Smart Glasses, friends, and fans. His video also highlighted why non-participants and things like bicycles should not be on the course. His running coach, who was pacing him, crashed into a non-participant towing a shopping cart across the street. He went down hard and couldn’t be Casey’s pacer for the rest of the race. Luckily, he was okay and was able to finish the race.

[@run-watch]

I didn't think anyone was allowed on the course without a race number! End of story. I did my first marathon in 2004 and last road marathon in 2010 and it was nothing like this. Call me a boomer, but I'm flabbergasted.

[@christreadwell5899]

I’m sick to death of these “influencers” on instagram. Honestly, it’s undermining the true love of running and the enjoyment - it’s become a self obsessed money making exercise.

[@ianbrown9614]

I am fine with them inspiring people, but they need to stop giving advice, too many have no clue what awful tips they give and it does more harm than good.

[@dudefromlaveenaz]

I find him inspirational, and have learned a lot from him. Why didn't the organizers put a stop to it? They had 3 hours to and choose to do nothing.

[@MatthewRogersMatt]

The large major marathons are no longer for runners

[@Johno-kg2kq]

Great summary of the situation - my 5.40 NYC Marathon isn’t going to break any records but still train hard and long. It’s very crowded and it’s bad enough with people using phones and not concentrating on where they’re going but selfishness and narcissism are not necessary or appreciated. How Matt thought this was acceptable is beyond comprehension and left NYRR with no choice as it would have created an unwanted precedent.

[@katiepowell28]

Gyms are going through a very similar reckoning right now as well in my opinion. I agree that influencer culture definitely has a place in getting people excited, sharing ideas/tips/info, and even just from an artistic lens of appreciating a sport through style/creativity. But it is becoming increasingly problematic that rules are not uniformly enforced and because camera equipment/crews can and do often impede others’ ability to participate in and feel comfortable within a given sport, whatever it is, it causes a lot of frustration and cynicism toward the event. I agree that we just need to continue improving communication of rules and regulations and impose sanctions on people who can’t follow them. I think race organizations should just make it very clearly at registration that they will be enforcing rules strictly and that there is a zero tolerance for XYZ, compelling participants to read and understand the rules.

[@bikerdude6119]

Everyone is a coach nowdays too😂 just read a book on running.

[@MatthewRogersMatt]

How do you even get a bike over the start line?

[@thespecialone7632]

So the reason I'm mad at Matt Choi is basically he made a decision to do it and maybe didn't give it much thought before hand, but during the run he MUST have known and thought "maybe this is a bad idea" then he didn't call it off at any point. So he knew he would get some backlash but he thought it would be a handful of people complaining because he saw himself as some sort of superstar and thought he was popular enough people would turn a blind eye

[@HStacey2011]

He did the same thing in Houston and got a ton of backlash, he knew it would stir up trouble.

[@beansandrunning]

My problem is he did it in previous races😂

[@thespecialone7632]

@@beansandrunning And they allowed it? Probably that's why he thought it was ok then

[@beansandrunning]

@@HStacey2011 I thought in houston he had anothers person bib...

[@billchen303]

Influencer is probably not the job for you if you have any level of shame

[@davidleonard37]

I also think the sub three group is also quite congested and it's the aim for so many athletes. To be getting in the way of anyone trying to break three is very selfish but also he was getting assistance from the Runna sponsor. Their not aligned to most runners values.

[@PhilWood-k5g]

I think Rosie has it nailed on the head, that its that "we are all here we all paid, you are not the main character", but also Lloyd, I think a lot of people are where you are, bored of where things are going and have become. If you can make a living from this, I think thats awesome, but lets not dilute the experience for others, no matter where you are in the pack.

[@MatthewRogersMatt]

TDF competitors don’t like the crowd interference

[@franciscomahipus5659]

Great great answer let everybody enjoy running.we are equal ❤

[@billylee5335]

RIP Choi!! (Run In Peace)

[@JaySizz]

Seriously... and that doesn't involve cameras recording every damn step.

[@HaraldHofer]

I would like to add one point especially regarding reading the rules: as running is very accessible to the general population, you will have a lot of hobbyists taking part in races. Hobbyists are not used to reading rules. I have a fencing and a kendo background, I'm used to know the rules to the letter. But as I said, I guess I get why a hobby runner might think being there at the start at time and run till the finish line is rule enough.

[@Emschough]

That’s too bad. I’ve enjoyed Matt’s videos but agree this is crossing a line. Im grateful for the running videos and content creators because I love the sport

[@diegoysofica]

I have been affected by crew trying to film the content of celebrities running their first marathon. I hate it. It affected my time and effort. My race is as important as theirs. This happened in 2003, when Diddy ran the NYC marathon. If they had taken the same repercussions back then, we will no see so many runners been affected by film crew today. I am glad that finally this type of actions have taken this level of attention. Hopefully, runner space will be respected more going forward.

[@noeidee924]

I used Runna before. It has a “race mode” that actually paces you in real time. I don’t know why there’s a need for a physical pacer when the app is actually capable of doing it by itself.

[@amandaruby5483]

Well, thankfully someone "world majors" did hold him accountable.

[@randycruz2007]

My man, you use to many filler words, just get to the point.

[@JasonRaneses]

I hadn’t heard about what happened until now. Have been following Matt for a while and generally like his content. That said, there’s an arrogance that often comes through - and unfortunately translates to potential for this kind of thing happening. Boneheaded move.

[@Thezuule1]

This had me so confused. You see people on bicycles all the time inside of a marathon. Everyone was making a point about them riding "E" bikes as if the addition of an electric motor to the bike was the problem.

[@AndreasKriswanto1989]

No no, you’re probably referring to official bike marshalls, moving in advance before to make way for runners. Matt bike crews literally merged with runners and at 4:13min/km pace, any kind of contact in a congested race like NYC could end up in big problem.

[@jamesgreenham4991]

well said lads.

[@charlestonmusc]

Choi has no integrity.

[@English.runner.en.Espana]

No press is bad press? Maybe was his plan.

[@Cornilios2]

Show me one person from the entire ny city marathon that was physically bodered by the bike.

[@mikecardenas4877]

Running has gone through a boom in popularity, and with that, a desire by many to become an influencer in that space. New York did the right thing in my opinion. Given the current climate in running, we would then start seeing bicycle s, drones, and other craziness on the course impeding participants on the course. Just so the influencer can get cinematic content. There are so many that follow the rules and document their races responsibly. In Matt's case, I think they just got a bit too ambitious and careless. Oblivious to the consequences of their actions. I'm sure he didn't do it with Ill intent and has apologized and accepted the consequences.

[@margaretblake5051]

Choi knew he was breaking the rules, he does not care. This is not an education issue regarding the rules of the sport.

[@JaySizz]

When someone conducts themselves like a D-bag, you let them know that's what they are and move on. This D-bag got the attention he was looking for, and is now somewhat more aware that many of us think he's a D-bag. Let's just unsubscribe and move on. Let him learn to enjoy running again and maybe get a job that contributes more positively. No more attention.

[@thedeafcattledog8608]

My two cents, which is worth what you paid for it: online trollers get their jigglies by going after people they perceive as having done something they personally don't like or are simply jelly. It's a power trip. It is a public street for 26 miles. If it wasn't specifically against the rules, which I read the rules and it wasn't on there unless you could categorize it under unofficial pacer, which is sorta dubious because they weren't pacing him, but it *was* against the rules to have selfie sticks, then why is he banned for life and the people with the selfie sticks aren't? I think it's ridiculous to ban someone *for life* if it wasn't specifically against the rules to have someone filming you *on a public street*. Banned for a couple of years, maybe if the bikes were really causing problems, but were they? People make shit up all the time online. And then later you find out that none of it happened, and the record is never corrected.

[@MK-tk8tb]

Matt is simply a product of the selfish look at me society. No thought about community or others.

[@GeorgeRow]

I follow several runners, sports scientists and coaches who create online content. I had never heard of this guy before news broke of him flouting the rules at New York. Clearly he took a calculated risk believing that “All publicity is good publicity”. I have no intention of visiting his channels now.

[@jimmybondy9450]

Why do people watch an average guy running?

[@bryangarcia6623]

I’m not mad at him but I get why one would be, No disrespect to Matt he’s a great athlete but it would be different if he was a super fast athlete, cuz then he would be kind of alone and he and his crew could run freely, like someone running 2:10 or 2:15 is, and there’s a handful of KZbinrs that are much much faster then Matt and they don’t feel like they have to constantly record themselves and they didn’t bring a camera crew, they might have there wife or kid or friend filming on the side but that’s it And for him to come up and do something like this just isn’t a great look for him or the sport and would interfere with other who paid and trained to be there

[@baldemarcaldera771]

If this was just a regular non influencer runner he or she would have been out on a dot during the race .. why months later for Choi?! Oh cuz he’s an influencer 🙅🏻‍♂️.. Overall a disrespectful on his behalf .. late apology to the running community does not count.

[@andrewstorm8240]

Why didn’t marshalls didn’t stop the bikes - anyway ban is abit drastic

[@rodrigogorosito4206]

Runners with cameras and selfie sticks should be disqualified, they are more concerned with looking good on film to generate their own “content” than not disturbing others and running their own race. Nowadays you can't stand on the starting line of a race without some idiot with a camera coming up to say motivational quotes.

[@Obiamajoyisrmd]

Most are concerned with creating lasting memories of an important event in their lives. Get back to reality.

[@rodrigogorosito4206]

@Obiamajoyisrmd Dude, you can take a photo before or after the race, or ask family or friends to do it and not ruin the race for others, get to reality and realize that you are bothering everyone...

[@Obiamajoyisrmd]

@ it’s not your race. It belongs to everyone. Your thoughts and opinions don’t really matter at the end of the day. Who are you to tell someone not to take pictures until the end of the race? Get back to reality kid. And get a different hobby.

[@rodrigogorosito4206]

@@Obiamajoyisrmd I can say what I want because they are just bothering others with their ego and search for approval. I have been running since before it was a trend and when they are all gone I will continue running, for them it is another step to gain followers. Nowadays races are not for athletes, only for Instagram.

[@dudefromlaveenaz]

I understand what he did was wrong, and there should be a punishment, but this is overblown and an overreaction. The organization seemingly did nothing to put a stop it. Give him a DNF, ban him for 3 years and put it in the rules that are actually enforced. I literally just walked off the course from Ironman Arizona. There were so many people walking, biking, pushing strollers etc though the run course it was ridiculous.

[@st.peterunner8758]

If he personally ruined your race, than I can see why you'd be mad. Everyone else, get the f over it. People love to get worked up for no reason. Yeah it was a dumb decision, but didn't affect most people and definitely didn't affect most people sounding off online about it.

[@adameskuri802]

So it’s “okay” behavior because it didn’t ruin everybody’s race experience, just those around him…. Got it. If I spent that kind of money on race fees, travel, housing, (not to mention the time put into training) only to get stuck running by such a big distraction, I’d be pissed about it.

[@angeloskadis9968]

Is that you Matt? 😝

[@dimitar297]

Matt Choi is a Chad see the footage.