SHINee’s Minho Faces Unexpected Controversy After Completing His First Full Marathon

SHINee member Minho has found himself at the centre of an unexpected online controversy following his impressive performance in his first-ever full marathon.

The singer completed the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon on November 1, finishing the challenging 42.195-kilometre course in 3 hours and 18 seconds.

Although he narrowly missed his goal of completing the race in under three hours, his achievement initially received attention for his stamina and determination.

However, the excitement surrounding his accomplishment soon turned into a debate after footage from the marathon began circulating online.

The video appeared to show another runner, believed to be his pacemaker, placing a hand on Minho’s back and pushing him while they were running.

The footage prompted questions about whether the physical contact crossed the boundaries of acceptable assistance during an officially recognised sporting event.

While some viewers criticised the apparent assistance, others argued that the circumstances needed to be examined before reaching any conclusions.

Minho’s First Marathon Finish Sparks Debate Over Pacemaker Assistance

Minho participated in the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon on November 1, taking on the full marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres for the first time.

Following the race, he shared a photograph of himself at the finish line along with his official timing certificate.

His recorded time was 3 hours, 18 seconds, placing him just 18 seconds short of the highly sought-after sub-three-hour benchmark.

His certificate listed his overall position as 1,137th and his ranking among male participants as 1,112th.

His average pace was approximately 4 minutes and 16 seconds per kilometre.

Reflecting on the experience, Minho wrote:

“Failed sub-3… by 18 seconds… but still a very valuable experience. That’s why life is like a marathon.”

He also admitted that maintaining his determination became particularly challenging after the 30-kilometre mark.

Rather than focusing on disappointment, he said the race helped him recognise his shortcomings and understand what he needed to improve.

Minho further thanked everyone who supported him along the course and promised to attempt the sub-three-hour challenge again.

However, attention soon shifted to a video showing a man running alongside him and appearing to push his back.

The footage led to questions about whether the individual had provided physical assistance beyond the usual role of a pacemaker.

World Athletics Rules Become Central to the Controversy

In marathon running, pacemakers help participants maintain a consistent speed while pursuing a particular finishing time.

They generally run alongside or ahead of runners, helping them maintain their rhythm throughout the race.

However, there is an important distinction between helping someone maintain their pace and physically pushing them forward.

World Athletics regulations prohibit physical assistance that provides propulsion or helps a competitor make forward progress during a race.

Depending on the circumstances, a confirmed violation can result in disqualification.

The controversy surrounding Minho therefore centres on whether the contact shown in the video actually provided additional force or was simply brief physical contact while running.

Opinions online have been divided. Some users argued that physical assistance should not be allowed in an officially recognised race, particularly when participants are pursuing specific finishing times.

Others felt that the footage alone was insufficient to establish whether Minho received an unfair advantage.

Minho also expressed gratitude towards his running companions after the event.

Sharing a photograph with them, he thanked his pacemaker, writing:

“Junhwan hyung, my pacemaker!!! Thanks to you, I achieved a good record. You’re the best.”

He also thanked Eunseop for filming the marathon and mentioned his coach, Gyunam, while expressing his determination to try again.

Importantly, no official ruling has been reported confirming that Minho violated the competition regulations or that his finishing time would be invalidated.

The available footage does not conclusively establish whether the physical contact provided propulsion.

For now, the incident remains an online debate rather than a confirmed case of rule violation.

While Minho’s first marathon achievement has drawn considerable attention, questions about the pacemaker’s physical contact have become the unexpected focus of discussion.