SHINee’s Minho ran his first-ever full marathon at the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon on November 1, finishing the 42.195km course in 3 hours and 18 seconds — then found himself at the center of an unexpected controversy.
SHINee’s Minho (Credits: Koreaboo)
Minho’s time was impressive for a debut marathon: he narrowly missed the coveted “sub-3” mark by just 18 seconds, with an average pace of 4 minutes and 16 seconds per kilometer. He ranked 1,137th overall and 1,112th in the men’s category.
Minho’s Marathon Controversy: The Pacemaker Push
The joy of finishing was short-lived. A video surfaced showing a man, believed to be a pacemaker, pushing Minho’s back while running — sparking debate online about whether it crossed the line of allowable assistance.
In marathons, pacemakers help runners keep a steady pace. But there’s a distinction between running alongside and adjusting pace naturally, and providing direct physical propulsion through contact. Under World Athletics competition rules, Rule TR 6.3.1 prohibits pacing by someone not in the race or by an already-lapped runner, while Rule TR 6.3.5 bans physical assistance from other runners or officials that helps forward motion. However, simple physical contact does not automatically constitute a violation.
Minho Thanks His Pacemaker Despite Debate
Minho himself showed nothing but gratitude. Right after the race, he shared his finishing photo and official timing certificate, writing: “Failed sub-3… by 18 seconds… but still a very valuable experience. That’s why life is like a marathon.” He added, “After 30km, my willpower really got tested a lot. Rather than regret, this race made me realize my own shortcomings. I’ll challenge it again. Sub-3, just wait.”
He also thanked the supporters cheering along the course and his running companions, including his pacemaker: “Junhwan hyung, my pacemaker!!! Thanks to you, I achieved a good record. You’re the best.”
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Source: Koreaboo — read the full story there.