I do wonder why Runna has escaped any form of punishment from this. Co-founder Ben knew exactly what was going on with Matt and did nothing. Only apologised when there was backlash. I've never seen a company handle things so poorly. If Matt got a DQ, so should Ben. Not to mention that Runna was responsible for another of their ambassadors (Anya) breaking the rules - running with a selfie stick which is banned according to the NYRR regulations. Already heard complaints of people getting a selfie stick in their face. Much less of a danger than an e-bike but NYRR sets rules for a reason. If you don't stick to them, own up and accept whatever comes your way.
Josh from Runna here again. Just on this - we acted within 36 hours of the incident, which was the first opportunity our leadership team had the opportunity to reconvene (we were travelling back from the US at different times, having taken down our pop-up store and on different time zones, and had to figure out exactly what had happened).
On Ben knowing exactly what was going on, the first time he saw the bikes was between 5KM and 10KM. He had no idea that they were going to be on the course, and the fact that they were wearing high-vis gear & nobody tried to pull them off the course meant that - especially in the heat of the marathon - the situation was pretty confusing. Obviously in retrospect he / we should have acted, but even then I'm not sure what he could have done as they were riding ahead of him and pulling them from the course probably risked causing more disruption to runners etc!
To me, this is just sad. Why go to all that effort for making an annoying video that adds absolutely nothing to the conversation? you’re at one of the most in-demand running events in the world, and you can’t even sit back for a minute and enjoy the experience?
Also, good to see NYRR actually enforcing rules, but how do they let those clowns on freaking rental e-bikes control the course for so long. I thought this event had top-notch security?
I don’t know Mr Choi. Is he NY based? If not, an NYRR ban isn’t all that big a deal.
I believe he’s Austin TX based, but, NYRR is clearly the top running organization in the country if not the world. So, he’s definitely going home ”Devastated.”
Good day for Elizabeth Clor as she moves up a notch on the influencer ladder. Probably celebrated by buying yet another outfit.
I’m pretty sure he moved to Brooklyn, or at least he’s there OFTEN
I do wonder why Runna has escaped any form of punishment from this. Co-founder Ben knew exactly what was going on with Matt and did nothing. Only apologised when there was backlash. I've never seen a company handle things so poorly. If Matt got a DQ, so should Ben. Not to mention that Runna was responsible for another of their ambassadors (Anya) breaking the rules - running with a selfie stick which is banned according to the NYRR regulations. Already heard complaints of people getting a selfie stick in their face. Much less of a danger than an e-bike but NYRR sets rules for a reason. If you don't stick to them, own up and accept whatever comes your way.
Josh from Runna here again. Just on this - we acted within 36 hours of the incident, which was the first opportunity our leadership team had the opportunity to reconvene (we were travelling back from the US at different times, having taken down our pop-up store and on different time zones, and had to figure out exactly what had happened).
On Ben knowing exactly what was going on, the first time he saw the bikes was between 5KM and 10KM. He had no idea that they were going to be on the course, and the fact that they were wearing high-vis gear & nobody tried to pull them off the course meant that - especially in the heat of the marathon - the situation was pretty confusing. Obviously in retrospect he / we should have acted, but even then I'm not sure what he could have done as they were riding ahead of him and pulling them from the course probably risked causing more disruption to runners etc!
Happy to answer any other questions!
What about your other employee/influencer , Anya , running with a selfie stick when it’s clearly against the rules. Any comment/action on that? Or will it only be addressed if enough complain
I do wonder why Runna has escaped any form of punishment from this. Co-founder Ben knew exactly what was going on with Matt and did nothing. Only apologised when there was backlash. I've never seen a company handle things so poorly. If Matt got a DQ, so should Ben. Not to mention that Runna was responsible for another of their ambassadors (Anya) breaking the rules - running with a selfie stick which is banned according to the NYRR regulations. Already heard complaints of people getting a selfie stick in their face. Much less of a danger than an e-bike but NYRR sets rules for a reason. If you don't stick to them, own up and accept whatever comes your way.
Josh from Runna here again. Just on this - we acted within 36 hours of the incident, which was the first opportunity our leadership team had the opportunity to reconvene (we were travelling back from the US at different times, having taken down our pop-up store and on different time zones, and had to figure out exactly what had happened).
On Ben knowing exactly what was going on, the first time he saw the bikes was between 5KM and 10KM. He had no idea that they were going to be on the course, and the fact that they were wearing high-vis gear & nobody tried to pull them off the course meant that - especially in the heat of the marathon - the situation was pretty confusing. Obviously in retrospect he / we should have acted, but even then I'm not sure what he could have done as they were riding ahead of him and pulling them from the course probably risked causing more disruption to runners etc!
Happy to answer any other questions!
What about addressing one of your ambassadors / coachers breaking the rules by running with a selfie stick?
As mentioned they are banned for a reason - besides for these things sticking out all over the place, people using them are not paying any attention to their surroundings - I myself was ran into by someone while they were using their selfie stick.
As a running company, you're surely aware of the backlash of running with selfie sticks?? Very clearly written on the prohibited items list for NY marathon: Selfie-sticks and any camera mount or rig that isn’t attached directly to the head or torso Or are you going to waiting until NYRR addresses it and then claim ignorance?
I've been in touch with NYRR about this incident as I found myself having to try dodge the person in question whilst she was using the selfie stick and swerving all over the place, lacking complete awareness of surroundings. Their response: We are investigating the incident in question. We address every runner that does not adhere to our Code of Conduct and Rules of Competition policies.
The brands are with Choi for the obvious reason that he has reach and numbers. He's a micro superstar. They are not there to police the guy, second-guess what he's doing, or call him out on anything. There's no percentage in that. It would be a dumb way to run a company. And it's very understandable. Why pay someone and then mess with how he does things?
Matt Choi's loyalty is to Matt Choi. Runna's loyalty is to Runna. Whatever theater anyone does of being honorable and pious is all in service to that. And now people are trying to play 'gotcha' with them.
You really think someone is gonna lecture their brand partner on selfie stick and so on? It wasn't a problem for Runna before, because not enough people made a stink. Now it's a problem. NYRR didn't do anything til there was a Reddit sh1tstorm.
All these influencers and brands are performing monkeys for the angriest, most petulant, whiny-ass audience there is - Instagram and TikTok subscribers who like nothing more than getting internet clout from being whingers. The brands and influencers need approval from scroll addicts because the addicts eyeballs are currency.
Yes, the bikes were wrong. But no one cared, because not enough people complained. Not even NYRR cared enough to do anything about it in real time.
Then it hit a tipping point on Reddit. Now everyone cares like it's the most obvious thing in the world. NYRR get to be pious and holy after the fact, when they knew all along. And Runna and Kane have to fight rearguard.
Let's just all move on. Dude's banned.
This post was edited 3 minutes after it was posted.
Reason provided:
possible offensive term
What about addressing one of your ambassadors / coachers breaking the rules by running with a selfie stick?
My current understanding is that this was checked on the start-line, and was approved because it didn't extend.
Thanks for holding us to a high standard, and apologies for any disruption this might have caused!
A piece of advice - stick to the truth. Acknowledge fault where it needs to happen.
I can say with certainty your current understanding is incorrect. But you know that. Just an attempt to save face.
In contact with NYRR and a snippet of latest response is: Our team is investigating any runner who ran with a selfie stick. We have a team that investigates EVERY violation of our Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement.
I do wonder why Runna has escaped any form of punishment from this. Co-founder Ben knew exactly what was going on with Matt and did nothing. Only apologised when there was backlash. I've never seen a company handle things so poorly. If Matt got a DQ, so should Ben. Not to mention that Runna was responsible for another of their ambassadors (Anya) breaking the rules - running with a selfie stick which is banned according to the NYRR regulations. Already heard complaints of people getting a selfie stick in their face. Much less of a danger than an e-bike but NYRR sets rules for a reason. If you don't stick to them, own up and accept whatever comes your way.
Josh from Runna here again. Just on this - we acted within 36 hours of the incident, which was the first opportunity our leadership team had the opportunity to reconvene (we were travelling back from the US at different times, having taken down our pop-up store and on different time zones, and had to figure out exactly what had happened).
On Ben knowing exactly what was going on, the first time he saw the bikes was between 5KM and 10KM. He had no idea that they were going to be on the course, and the fact that they were wearing high-vis gear & nobody tried to pull them off the course meant that - especially in the heat of the marathon - the situation was pretty confusing. Obviously in retrospect he / we should have acted, but even then I'm not sure what he could have done as they were riding ahead of him and pulling them from the course probably risked causing more disruption to runners etc!
Happy to answer any other questions!
How did you all not know Matt Choi had a history of these activities? It's in the first three or so results when you google him that he broke the rules at Austin Marathon, Houston Marathon, and Brooklyn Half. Did you not even google him before entering a relationship with him?
I do wonder why Runna has escaped any form of punishment from this. Co-founder Ben knew exactly what was going on with Matt and did nothing. Only apologised when there was backlash. I've never seen a company handle things so poorly. If Matt got a DQ, so should Ben. Not to mention that Runna was responsible for another of their ambassadors (Anya) breaking the rules - running with a selfie stick which is banned according to the NYRR regulations. Already heard complaints of people getting a selfie stick in their face. Much less of a danger than an e-bike but NYRR sets rules for a reason. If you don't stick to them, own up and accept whatever comes your way.
Side note: anyone can log a complaint here:
I would love to see some action taken around running with a selfie stick. It has no place in marathon running. Besides for these things sticking out all over the place, people using them are not paying any attention to their surroundings - I myself was ran into by someone while they were using their selfie stick.
Young ones must be really gullible. Who needs to pay for training plan. 99% of the runners hitting the starting line will just fine downloading any of many free plans on Google search. The problem isn't the plan. Most of us don't train enough so anything will do.
It should never have been there. But its all about content, no matter the rules and no matter who else it may impact. I think this will only be taken seriously when its officially acted upon. And then you will have some other bu****it excuse
