An influencer took to social media to share her completion of the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon on Sunday, boasting a 7:43 mile pace. Despite not training, lacking any supporters, and indulging in two glasses of wine before bed the night before, Alexa Curtis crossed the finish line. However, her achievement was not well-received as she confessed to not even registering for the race.
In her post, Curtis, known for her blog and podcast focusing on teen lifestyle and mental health, recounted her emotional journey during the race, admitting to shedding tears along the way and drawing parallels between the challenges faced in the race and those encountered in life.
While intended to inspire, the post was perceived as "bragging" by some social media users who criticized Curtis for not paying the race entry fee.
The NYCRUNS half marathon typically charges a $125 registration fee, with many participants using the opportunity to fundraise for charitable causes. The April 28 event was associated with charity partner Tucks Travels, dedicated to assisting families in accessing travel opportunities and booking family trips.
Individuals who participate in races without paying the registration fee, such as Curtis, are often labeled as "bandits."
"You are a pirate and you plundered from this race and this community," one person exclaimed on social media. "these things are valuable and for charity. shame on you."
"Do you always subtly boast about looting from charity?" another remarked.
Another individual mentioned that there are "absolutely no excuses" for pirating. "It is a sign of a lack of sporting ethics and a lack of honesty as well as deceit on the part of the person who does so," the social media user expressed.
Some commentators were encouraging, with a few offering their best wishes to Curtis while also advising her against pirating races.
Curtis' post gained widespread attention and prompted her to share several apology posts. "Hi everyone. I did not realize I would offend so many people," she wrote on social media Monday. "The post was meant to be inspirational and I had no intention to take anything from anyone or the race: I was running for myself for my mental health. In the future I'll be sure to look up the rules if I decide to run again."
In a second statement shared on social media on Monday, Curtis said she was sincerely sorry for any upset her "hasty actions" have caused. "I made a terrible mistake," she said. "I thought I was engaging in something uplifting [that] would inspire others to do the same."
Her decision to enter the competition was spontaneous, and she has chosen to contribute $150 to Tucks Travels, a cause for which NYCRUNS was gathering donations, along with various other organizations.
CBS News has contacted NYCRUNS and Curtis for their comments and is currently awaiting a response.
