A "wannabe influencer" has been banned from the New York City Marathon. According to a Wednesday (November 11) report from the New York Post.
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Influencer Runs Marathon With Counterfeit Bib
The marathon dropped the hammer on the influencer, Mike Clark. After learning that he made a counterfeit version of bank executive Nicolas Bourot's bib, No. 4207, to enter the course.
According to the outlet, Bourot has expressed his frustration about Clark making a counterfeit version of his bib. He said it is "not fair," citing everything he had to do to become eligible for the 26.2-mile race. However, Clark does not believe that he has committed any wrongdoing.
"At the end of the day, they can call it unfair or cheating the system, but for me it was to push my limits while running for this goal and have fun while doing it," Clarke said to the outlet in a text on Wednesday.
He also said that he received a medal after the race but gave it to a child in the crowd.
Influencer Ran Marathon as Tribute to Late Friend
The online influencer said that he did not intentionally target Bourot, but rather the banking boss's number. His connection to the bib number, 4207, is a friend who passed away.
"My friend who passed wanted to run all the world majors and was hoping to do New York in 2028. Did it in honor of him ... obviously for fun," Clarke said to the New York Post.
Despite the touching story, Bourot says that it is not fair to him and the other runners that the influencer got to run the course. He had to wait years before he got his opportunity.
"It's not fair for all the runners because it's very hard to get into this marathon. I waited for 10 years before I was able to. Every year I try, I try, I try," Bourot told The Post.
As a result, the influencer has been banned from next year's race.
"When individuals fraudulently enter our events, they jeopardize everyone's safety. These acts are egregious and are antithetical to supporting the sport of running and its community," a spokesperson from the New York City Marathon said to the outlet.
