While the elite runners may have been the stars of the show in the Big Apple at last weekend’s 2024 New York City Marathon, the race wasn’t without it’s other interesting tales.
From a world record in Crocs, to a lifetime ban from all NYRR events, here are the weirdest and most interesting moments, outside of the elite races, that happened in New York last weekend.
New World Record For A Marathon Run In Crocs
If you’re as passionate about Crocs as I am, you know just how powerful it can be to put them into “sport mode.”
While the fashionable footwear may not be the first to come to mind if you want to run a fast (or injury-free) marathon, one runner at the 2024 New York City Marathon wanted to put their Crocs to the test over the 26.2-mile course through the five boroughs of the Big Apple.
Kevin Leimkuhler, a 31-year-old software engineer from Denver, Colo., set a new world record for the fastest marathon run in Crocs after completing the NYC Marathon in a time of 2:51:27. That’s a jaw-dropping 6:33 per mile, effectively in sandals, and not far off Leimkuhler’s personal best (2:38, in super shoes, of course). The previous world record in a pair of Crocs was 2:58:24 by a UK-based runner, Chris Howett, at the this year’s Manchester Marathon, which took place in April.
While most people are on the hunt for what super shoes the pros are wearing, if you’re in the market for a fast pair of Crocs, you can easily buy the exact same ones the new world record holder was wearing (and they’re probably much easier and cheaper to get your hands on).
As confirmed by the brand, Leimkuhler was wearing the Crocs Classic Clog in the Starfish colorway (with socks, of course).
YouTuber Casey Neistat Runs Sub-3 Hours
Casey Neistat is a well-known YouTuber, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, celebrated for his high-energy vlogs and creative storytelling.
Originally gaining fame through a viral video about Apple’s iPod battery issues in 2003, Neistat went on to build a massive YouTube following by sharing his day-to-day adventures and cinematic short films. His work is known for his innovative editing style, relatable humor, and unique blend of personal insights with broader social commentary. He also co-founded the messaging app Beme, which CNN later acquired.
Neistat ran the 2024 New York City Marathon with a specific goal: breaking the three-hour mark, aiming for a respectable PB of 2 hours and 59 minutes. Known for his disciplined approach (or maybe, his coach’s discipline too), he planned to save energy by avoiding waves or gestures to fans along the route. In a playful post on Instagram, he explained the “math” behind his strategy, emphasizing that even small gestures could cost precious energy over the 26.2-mile course.
His plan paid off, as Neistat completed the marathon in 2:57:48, crushing his goal with some time to spare. He ran in support of Project Healthy Minds, a cause close to his heart, contributing to mental health awareness and support
Matt Choi Accepts Lifetime Ban From All NYRR Events
Influencer and runner Matt Choi was disqualified from the 2024 New York City Marathon and banned for life from future New York Road Runners races after completing the race with a crew following him on electric bikes for filming. Choi finished the marathon in 2:57:15, but NYRR removed him from the results due to rule violations regarding race interference and conduct. In a statement, NYRR confirmed that his actions, including having a film crew on e-bikes navigate the course, violated both World Athletics and NYRR competition rules.
Choi, who has over 400,000 Instagram followers and regularly posts running content, apologized on Instagram, taking full responsibility and acknowledging the disruption his crew caused to other runners. He admitted that he was warned in the past about filming practices with e-bikes during races but committed to changing his approach going forward.
This isn’t the first incident of Choi filming mid-race with e-bikes. He faced criticism for similar behavior at the 2023 Austin Marathon and potentially at the Brooklyn Half Marathon, where he argued that showing competition footage is essential for growing the sport’s visibility. Following the NYC Marathon disqualification, the running app Runna, for which Choi was an ambassador, cut ties with him, citing alignment issues with their mission to support runners and respect race rules.
The $1,750 NYC Marathon “Experience”… That Doesn’t Even Come With a Bib?
The “Mastercard Priceless Start” at the NYC Marathon is, let’s say, a very “exclusive” way to kick off your race. At $1,750 (without the bib included), this VIP experience lets Mastercard holders start the race a bit early and gives them space on the Verrazzano Bridge to feel like the main attraction for a few miles. While it sounds luxurious, it’s basically a head start that guarantees a stretch of open road—right up until the main pack comes up from behind, which usually happens around miles 9 to 12.
This year, the Priceless Start group had some company on the bridge as guided runners used the opposite lane, making things a bit less “Priceless” than previous years. And while it promises a quieter course experience, that’s not exactly the case once you’re further in. Spectators this year showed up in full force, bringing Brooklyn to life and sparking energy that made it feel more like a regular start than an exclusive sneak preview.
This Guy Wore How Many Bras?
Brady McDonald brought a new kind of “support” to the NYC Marathon this year by setting a record for running the race while wearing 23 bras—a symbolic move to raise awareness for breast cancer. Each of the bras he donned represented a different person affected by breast cancer, showing solidarity and honoring those impacted by the disease. McDonald’s initiative wasn’t just an attempt to make a statement on the course; it was also an effort to raise funds for breast cancer research.
Though 23 bras might seem cumbersome, McDonald took his record-breaking opportunity in stride and used it as a way to generate attention for an important cause.
