Group SHINee Minho recently took on his first full-course marathon challenge, successfully completing the race in the 3-hour range, but has since sparked controversy after video footage emerged showing him receiving physical assistance from a pacemaker during the race.
Minho participated in the ‘2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon’ held on November 1. Despite rainy and inclement weather conditions, he refused to give up and dashed toward the finish line, successfully completing his first full marathon.
His finishing time was particularly astonishing. Minho completed the full 42.195km course in 3 hours, 0 minutes, and 18 seconds. Sharing his completion certificate directly, he expressed his joy by saying, ‘Safe completion of my first full marathon.’ He added, ‘Sub-3 failed… 18 seconds… Still, such a valuable experience. The reason why life is like a marathon.’
Controversy Over Physical Assistance and Rules
However, the joy of completion was short-lived. A video posted on an online community showed Minho receiving help from a pacemaker during the race, triggering a heated debate. The footage captures the pacemaker pushing Minho’s back with his hand as they run. Critics pointed out that this went beyond simply matching speeds and provided physical propulsion through body contact.
Athletic regulations clearly specify the allowable limits of assistance for athletes. According to World Athletics Technical Rule 6.3.1 or 6.3.6, athletes can be disqualified if they receive physical assistance during a race that aids their forward propulsion. An exception is made only for helping a fallen athlete back up. Depending on whether this situation falls under that rule, disqualification could theoretically be applied without a separate warning.
Public Reaction and Debate
The video showing Minho being pushed by his pacemaker has ignited a sharp divide in online reactions regarding whether this constitutes prohibited physical assistance.
On one side, some netizens defended Minho, commenting, ‘What’s the big deal about this?’, ‘It doesn’t seem like something worth controversy,’ and ‘He’s not a pro athlete competing in an elite division, this is just a hobby.’ Conversely, other netizens voiced strict opinions, stating, ‘Minho should be disqualified,’ ‘Nullifying his record and disqualifying him from the race is only natural,’ and ‘His official record must be canceled.’
