Justine Huang has taken the internet by storm with a surprising and fun revelation about her New York City Marathon experience.
The 26-year-old runner recently shared that she completed the 26.2-mile race while intoxicated, making her marathon journey unlike any other.
A New Approach to Racing
Huang, an experienced marathoner, approached this race with a different mindset than usual.
“As a competitive person, I have the mindset that I want to run as fast as I can,” she explained.
However, for the NYC Marathon on November 3, she decided to slow down, engage with spectators, and enjoy the journey.
This shift in approach turned out to make the race even more enjoyable than she’d expected.
“I spent time with spectators and friends who came out to support me — it made the experience so much better,” she told KBPS.
As the race progressed, Huang indulged in more than just the typical snacks; she also partook in some drinks along the way.
The Drinking Marathon Plan
Huang had a simple plan going into the race: eat whatever she could find and drink whatever was offered by the cheering crowds.
“I wanted to eat all the food I saw and then drink whatever the spectators were bringing,” she said.
What she didn’t expect was just how much food and drink would be available along the route.
Her first treat was candy, but that quickly escalated when “the first guy handed me, I think, a shot of Hennessy.”
From there, the party really began.
Spectators handed her beers, while her friends, holding personalized signs, provided her with shots.
As Huang continued the race, she documented the experience with aerial shots, capturing moments of her sipping drinks and sharing laughs with the crowd.
The Viral Moment
One of the most memorable parts of her race was captured in a video that has since gone viral, garnering nearly 12 million views.
In the clip, Huang is seen drinking Prosecco out of a red solo cup as she jogged along the course.
By the end of her race, Huang estimated she had consumed around four or five shots of liquor, plus another four or five half-cups of beer.
Hydration and Strategy
Despite the alcohol, Huang made sure to stay hydrated throughout the race.
She stopped at every water station, chugging down two cups of water and two cups of Gatorade at each stop.
“I did have to go to the bathroom at least six times during the race,” she admitted.
The combination of hydration and alcohol didn’t seem to hurt her much; by the end of her run, she was surprised her stomach was “surprisingly fine.”
A Marathon Like No Other
Huang’s NYC Marathon experience came just three weeks after she ran the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, where she had focused on setting a personal record.
For NYC, however, Huang decided to relax and have fun, especially with friends joining her for the race.
While the Chicago Marathon was all about speed, the New York race was about enjoying the journey and the camaraderie of the spectators.
A Week of Controversy
Huang’s unique approach to the marathon stood in stark contrast to another runner’s disqualification.
A week after her marathon, news broke that influencer Matt Choi had been banned from future New York Road Runners events for breaking race rules.
Choi, who was accompanied by two people on electric bicycles during the race, was disqualified, and his time of 2:57:15 was removed from the official results.
Choi admitted to his mistake, taking full responsibility for his actions.
“E-bikes don’t belong in races,” he said in a statement.
Despite the ban, he accepted his disqualification and apologized to the other runners who were affected.
Looking Ahead
With Huang’s viral marathon antics and Choi’s disqualification grabbing attention, it seems the 2024 NYC Marathon was full of unexpected moments.
Whether it’s a runner embracing the fun of the race or facing consequences for breaking the rules, the event continues to captivate and inspire athletes around the world.
What’s next for these runners remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: both will have unforgettable stories to tell.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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