The Dark Side Of New York City Marathon - Explained

^{Nov 06, 2024 | Edition #46}

👋 Hey, Speedsters!

Did you miss us? Between the election madness and an unexpected tech issue, our Monday edition couldn’t reach you all. But we're back now—and we’ve packed this one with all the track thrills you've been craving!

Today we’re plunging straight into the 2024 NYC Marathon mayhem! From there, we heat things up with the ultimate debate: who truly deserves the crown of fastest on Earth? Then, we’re pulling back the curtain on Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s 2019 heartbreak—the defining moment that shaped her journey to greatness. And don’t miss our spotlight on Usain Bolt's eyebrow-raising ‘habit’ that’s had everyone talking.

So let’s dive in!

📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The first thing a hurdler learns is how to fall.”

— Tonie Campbell

In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Track & Field universe:

😲 Marathon Drama Hits NYC

🏆 World’s Fastest: Who Owns It?

💪🏻 Sydney McLaughlin's Epic Comeback

🏃🏻 Bolt’s Daring Stunts That Redefined Racing!

📈Trending News

Behind the Cheers: Scandals and Secrets Rock the NYC Marathon

The NYC Marathon might be America’s most iconic race, but it hides a shadowy side few know about. First up, a scandalous story: popular influencer Matthew Choi, with a whopping 405,000 Instagram followers, was sensationally disqualified this year. Choi, banned from future NYC Marathons, was caught with two e-bikers filming his run. This stunt didn’t just breach marathon rules—it angered runners, who felt his entourage’s interference on the tightly packed 50,000-plus course was the height of disrespect.

But the ripple effects didn’t end there. The race’s extensive roadblocks, which typically frustrate local businesses, reached new levels of disruption when the Detroit Pistons found themselves stranded. With the Brooklyn Bridge closed, they had no choice but to ditch their usual travel plans and hop on an MTA train to reach Barclays Center for their game. Here is a clip explaining the entire NYC Marathon course!

Then came the bombshell announcement from the New York Road Runners (NYRR), the organization behind the marathon. They revealed that CEO Michael Capiraso, a fixture since 2015, would step down in December 2024 following allegations of financial mishandling, diversity concerns, and claims of racism. This leadership shake-up, amid complaints, adds another layer of controversy to a race known as much for its prestige as its logistical challenges.

And for the last runners to hit the course, it’s a dismal scene. Bottles of urine, discarded sweatshirts, and piles of trash litter their path—a grim result of poorly managed hydration for an already overextended race. So bad, in fact, that the committee has implemented a rule stating, “Anyone seen urinating or defecating in a corral may be disqualified.”

Amid the glamour, the NYC Marathon struggles with glaring issues, revealing a race where not all is as bright as it seems.

Read Article: Who Was the Last Person to Finish New York City Marathon 2023?

📊 POLL OF THE DAY

The 2023 World Championships were a key event for athletes to fine-tune their form and gain global recognition ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. So here’s today’s trivia!

Last Poll’s Result: In our last poll, we asked: "How many gold medals did Usain Bolt win at the Olympics?" The results are in, and only 36% of you nailed it! The correct answer is 8 gold medals—proof of Bolt’s unmatched Olympic legacy.

🗣️ Debate-of-the-day

The Ultimate Speed Debate: Who Owns the Title?

The world’s fastest man and woman—is it a title won on the track, defined by records, or by prestige? The answer is complex because here’s the thing: being the fastest is anything but clear-cut. It’s a title mired in world records, championship wins, and pure bragging rights. But let’s break down the three camps.

The Record Holders: Usain Bolt and Florence Griffith-Joyner (Flo-Jo) have left an indelible mark on the track, clocking the fastest times in 100m history. For purists, they’re untouchable—the ultimate kings and queens of speed, crowned by time itself. No one has yet come close to beating their records, which makes them “the fastest” in the eyes of many.

The World Champs: Then there’s the reigning king Noah Lyles, who believes the title of “fastest” belongs to whoever wins the 100m at the World Championships. According to Lyles, he and Sha'Carri Richardson hold the crown right now. But when the Atlanta Falcons dubbed Sha'Carri the “fastest woman in the world,” fans quickly argued: Where’s the Olympic gold?

The Olympic Prestige: Enter Julien Alfred, Olympic champion, who many believe holds the true mark of a “fastest” title. Even Lyles acknowledges that Olympic champions should share the throne, remarking, “Everybody knows the title goes to the Olympic and World champions, which I am one of.”

But here’s the twist that seals Lyles’s case: he clocked a mind-blowing 27 mph during his race, setting an all-time sprint record. Lyles is the fastest of the fast—though for now, Sha’Carri and Alfred keep the women’s title thrillingly up for grabs.

Read Article: Fresh Controversy Erupts Involving Sha’Carri Richardson as Track & Field Fans Angry Over Twitter Post

📽️ Video Vault

Marion Jones' Unbelievable Comeback

They say "never say never," and Marion Jones just proved that to the world! After being bedridden for months, she conquered a rare autoimmune disease that left her needing to relearn basic motor skills from scratch. But guess what? She’s back on her feet and running strong today!

💫Inspiring Comebacks

How Sydney McLaughlin Turned Pain into Power

Track fans hardly need a reminder that Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has reigned undefeated in the 400m hurdles for five years. But few may recall where her last loss occurred—a moment that altered her journey in profound ways. It was in Doha, 2019, at the World Championships. There, in a nail-biting final, Dalilah Muhammad edged her out by a razor-thin margin of just 0.07 seconds. That fraction of a second shattered Sydney’s dreams, leaving her in tears and grappling with a moment of vulnerability.

In the midst of this heartbreak, she reached out to someone who had once been her steady source of comfort: her high school boyfriend. Though their relationship had been brief, he was a person she trusted during tough times. So, hoping to reconnect, Sydney even flew out to see him at one of his college football games. But when she bravely asked, “Do you think there’s any possibility of us ever getting back together?” he simply replied, “I don’t think so.” His rejection left her feeling “empty and worthless,” and she realized it was time to truly move on. With resilience, she cut all ties and resolved to forge her own path.

Then, fate stepped in once more. The world was plunged into isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For Sydney, it was a moment of transformation. Alone with her thoughts, she turned inward and found a deeper connection to her faith. Embracing herself as a “Daughter of God,” her perspective shifted entirely. She no longer saw God as a distant taskmaster but as a guiding force with a grand purpose for her. This faith became her foundation, allowing her to heal and regain her sense of self-worth.

From there, her path forward became clear. Despite the setbacks, she rebounded with unmatched strength. In 2021, she didn’t just compete—she soared, winning two Olympic golds and breaking the world record!

Talking about comebacks and victories, the lightning bolt had his own quirks. Read the next story to find out more!

Read Article: Hurt by Ex, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Expressed Her Biggest Loss in 2019

🏅Beyond the Medals

Usain Bolt’s Moves That Made Fans Cheer—and Critics Cringe

Remember that iconic moment when Usain Bolt would flash his competitors an over-the-shoulder stare as he breezed past the finish line? If you thought that was cheeky, the "Lightning Bolt" had a few moves that earned him the label of downright disrespectful!

To his fans, Bolt was the showman of track and field—a powerhouse with a flair that brought the sport to life. He was more than just a runner; he was an entertainer, captivating fans worldwide with his signature swagger and playful attitude. But not everyone was on board. His critics saw his dance moves and quick dabs mid-race as audacious, and his early celebrations as arrogance. Bolt himself would laugh it off, saying, "People were like, 'What are you doing?' because everybody else was so serious. And I was just like, 'Yo, I’m just being me.'"

One of his boldest moments? That infamous sprint in Beijing, where he started celebrating before he even crossed the finish line. In case you want to revisit that moment, here is a clip to refresh your memory! Fans and commentators alike watched in shock, but for Bolt, it was all part of his vibe. This cool, carefree attitude was just another layer to his "athlete’s mindset."

When it came down to it, Bolt was untouchable. "I don’t really feel pressure," he once said, embodying a calm that few athletes have ever mastered. While most runners lined up at the Olympic 100m final are intensely focused, Bolt might’ve been daydreaming about dinner. And yet, in the final seconds, as the "on your marks" call sounded, he would flip a switch and transform into the world’s fastest man. That perfect blend of confidence and raw power? It’s what made Usain Bolt legendary—placing him in a league no one else has come close to reaching.

Read Article: Tagged as Disrespectful, Usain Bolt Explains Why He Often Ignored Fan Cheers on the Track

📝 Highlighted Stories!

1. Julien Alfred Reveals Advice That Inspired Paris Olympics Comeback - Full Story

2. Michael Johnson Reveals Reasoning Behind Grand Slam Track’s Format- Full Story

3. Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield Get Teary-Eyed Over Emotional Update - Full Story

4. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Shares How Her Mom Saved Her From a Bad Sponsorship Deal - Full Story

5. Usain Bolt Recalls Being Unbothered by US Legend’s Quirky Antics on Track - Full Story

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!

💌 FEEDBACK