NEW YORK (AP) — A Texas social media influencer was disqualified from last weekend. New York Marathon and banned from future competitions after running the race with a film crew on e-bikes in tow.

The New York Road Runners, which organizes the venerable race, said in a statement Tuesday that Matthew Choi had violated the group’s code of conduct and competition rules, not to mention those of World Athletics, the international governing body of the running.

“One of the incidents brought to NYRR’s attention was that Choi ran with the help of two unauthorized people who were riding the course on e-bikes, obstructing the runners,” the group said.

Choi, 29, completed the 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course with a time of 2:57:15i.e. approximately 50 minutes behind Abdi Nageeye, the winner among men race.

THE former footballer for Monmouth University in New Jersey published several videos of him running the marathon on his social media accounts, which was immediately met with scorn.

“As a runner, seeing him was incredible. This gave me extra motivation to pass him and make sure I never have to see him and his stupid crew for the rest of the race,” one user wrote. on Reddit.

Choi, of Austin, Texas, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Tuesday. He apologized on his Instagram account, where he posts running and fitness videos to his more than 400,000 followers.

Choi acknowledged that the filming endangered other competitors, prevented some from achieving personal bests in races and even prevented some from having a drink at designated water stations. More than 55,000 runners finished the racewhich crossed the five boroughs of New York City.

“I have no excuses, period,” Choi said on camera in the Tuesday article. “I was selfish on Sunday to have my brother and my videographer follow me on an electric bike, and it had serious consequences.”

“Since the New York City Marathon is for everyone and the community, I did it for myself,” he continued. “And to everyone I’ve touched, I’m sorry. To be clear, this was 100% my fault.

The New York Road Runners said Choi had the right to appeal, but the influencer said he was resigned to his fate.

“I made my bed, so I’m going to lie in it,” Choi said, acknowledging that he had previously been criticized for using film crews on e-bikes to film content at major competitions. “This won’t happen again. My word is my bond.

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Follow Philippe Marcelo on twitter.com/philmarcelo.

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