Matthew Choi, a running influencer from Austin, Texas, who finished the New York City Marathon on November 3 in 2:57:15, has been disqualified from the event after he ran much of the course with two people alongside him riding on electric bicycles and filming his race.

A running influencer from Texas has been disqualified from the New York City Marathon and banned from future New York City running events after he ran part of the course with people on e-bikes filming him.

The New York City Marathon is organized by the New York Road Runners (NYRR). Here’s what the NYRR rules (which apply to all NYRR races, except for kids’ races) say about assisting runners: “Unofficial pacers or other unregistered participants are not permitted on the course,

Matt Choi, who has a large following on social media, is barred from competing in future New York Road Runner events.

Matt Choi, the running influencer who infuriated the running community by bringing two unauthorized e-bikes onto the NYC Marathon course, has issued an apology.