SHINee's Minho Misses Sub-3 Marathon by 18 Seconds, Faces Rule Questions

SHINee member Minho came within 18 seconds of a major running goal in his first full marathon. But the celebration didn't last long. A short video from the race has some people online asking whether he got physical help that the rules don't allow.

Minho ran the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, held on Nov. 1, and finished the 42.195-kilometer course in 3:00:18. That left him just 18 seconds short of "sub-3," the goal many runners chase of finishing a full marathon in under three hours. For a first attempt at the full distance, the time drew a lot of attention.

Right after the race, Minho posted his finisher's certificate and photos on social media. The certificate showed an average pace of four minutes and 16 seconds per kilometer. He placed 1,137th overall and 1,112th in the men's division.

"Sub-3 failed... 18 seconds... Still, such a valuable experience. This is why life is a marathon," he wrote. He also made it clear he isn't done. "I'm trying again. Sub-3, wait for me."

He thanked the people who ran with him, too. "Jun-hyung hyung, thank you for being my pacemaker!!! I really got a good time thanks to you. You're... the best," he wrote, using "hyung," a Korean term men use to address an older brother or older male friend.

The debate started when a clip of Minho during the race began spreading on online communities. In the video, a man running behind him appears to reach out and push him near his back and waist.

Some internet users asked whether the pacemaker went beyond setting the pace and gave him physical help. Because Minho missed sub-3 by only 18 seconds, some argued that even a small push could affect the finishing time.

In a marathon, a pacemaker helps a runner hold a steady speed to hit a target time. Running alongside someone to control the pace is one thing. Pushing their body to move them forward is another.

World Athletics Technical Rule 6.3.6 bans athletes from getting physical support from another person that helps them move forward. The only exception is helping a runner who has fallen get back up. Breaking the rule can lead to disqualification without a warning.

The race was co-hosted by the Korea Association of Athletics Federations and included a masters division for amateur runners. The race guidelines stated that runners must follow the federation's rules. Because of that, some have pointed out that the rule could apply to regular participants as well.

Still, it has not been confirmed that the contact in the video actually pushed Minho forward. A short clip alone is not enough to call it a rule violation or to argue that his time should be thrown out.

Reactions online were split. "Minho should be disqualified," one wrote. "The record should be voided," another added. Others felt the criticism went too far. "I don't think this is something to make a big deal about," one wrote. Another said, "At that level, it's a hobby."

So far, race organizers have not shared any official ruling on the scene or said whether any penalty will follow. Whether Minho's run broke the rules will likely come down to what the contact really was and whether the race rules apply to amateur runners like him.