Running News Daily

South Korean singer and SHINee member Choi Min-ho has made headlines beyond the entertainment world after voluntarily relinquishing his finishing result from the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, following controversy surrounding footage that appeared to show him receiving physical assistance during the race.

The 34-year-old K-pop star took on his first-ever full marathon on November 1, 2026, completing the gruelling 42.195-kilometre distance in an impressive 3:00:18. His performance attracted considerable attention, particularly because he narrowly missed the highly coveted sub-three-hour milestone by just 18 seconds.

However, what initially appeared to be a remarkable debut soon became the centre of a heated debate within running communities and on social media.

Footage circulating online showed another runner, believed to be his pacemaker, running close behind Min-ho and appearing to place a hand against his lower back and waist, seemingly pushing him forward. The images sparked questions about whether the physical contact constituted unauthorised assistance and whether it compromised the fairness of his performance.

The controversy quickly gained momentum, with athletics enthusiasts questioning the circumstances surrounding the assistance and calling for greater respect for the principles governing fair competition.

Faced with the growing criticism, Min-ho addressed the situation on November 3 through a heartfelt public apology. He expressed deep regret for disappointing people who had followed his marathon journey, acknowledging that the incident had occurred because of his own shortcomings.

He also emphasised his love and respect for sport, admitting that he felt deeply ashamed of the situation. In a further demonstration of accountability, he announced that he would not accept his finishing result, adding that he would carry the lessons from the experience into the future.

His decision was subsequently accepted by Runable, the organisers of the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon. On November 4, they confirmed that his request to relinquish the result had been accepted and that his finishing time would not be issued as an official race record.

Importantly, the withdrawal should not be confused with an official disqualification for a confirmed rules violation. The organisers did not establish a definitive finding that Min-ho had breached competition regulations, leaving the incident to be viewed primarily through his voluntary decision to surrender the result.

Beyond the controversy, the incident has reignited an important conversation about integrity, fairness and accountability in distance running. Whether competing at elite level or participating in mass-participation events, every runner shares responsibility for respecting the principles that make athletics a fair and credible sport.

For Min-ho, a performance that initially promised to be a memorable milestone in his sporting journey has instead become a valuable lesson about the responsibilities that accompany competition.

His 3:00:18 performance may no longer appear as an official result, but the wider discussion it has generated serves as a reminder that sporting achievements are measured by more than finishing times.

In marathon running, every second matters, but so do honesty, fairness and respect for every athlete who earns their place at the finish line.