Influencer Bandits Brooklyn Half Marathon and Brags About Pace
The recent NYCRUNS Brooklyn Half Marathon made headlines for an unexpected reason – a personal brand entrepreneur, Alexa Curtis, admitted to running the race without actually signing up. Her post about crossing the finish line without registering drew swift criticism on social media.
Banditing, which is running a race without registering, is highly controversial in the running world as entry fees support essential race elements like security, medical responders, and charity donations. The Brooklyn Half Marathon, with over 21,000 official finishers, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity.
Curtis, who founded Be Fearless Inc., defended her actions by stating that she ran for her mental health and to inspire her followers. Despite the backlash, she emphasized that she did not take a medal or engage in any race amenities.
The incident sparked a debate on social media, with some condemning Curtis for “stealing” from the race and others sympathizing with her personal struggles. Curtis, who described the half marathon as an emotional experience, used the opportunity to share her message of resilience and fearlessness.
The controversy surrounding Curtis’ banditing of the Brooklyn Half Marathon serves as a reminder of the importance of following race rules and respecting the efforts of organizers and participants.
