Overheard during the Half Marathon: ‘Wait, was that Lil Nas
Ahead of one of its signature events, New York Road Runners made an unusual email request Friday evening.
The rapper and singer Lil Nas United Airlines NYC Half, a 13.1-mile race scheduled to be held on Sunday morning. And one of his representatives was curious: was there room in the race for one more runner?
“It kind of came out of the blue,” New York Road Runners CEO Rob Simmelkjaer said in a phone interview on Monday.
The nonprofit, which hosts about 60 races each year, including the New York City Marathon, was happy to oblige. It hardly mattered that Lil Nas Or that he came to the race with a few Coach high sneakerswhich are more boat than high-end racing flat.
Accompanied by Roberto Mandje, New York Road Runners senior advisor for running engagement and coaching, Lil Nas 2 hours 32 minutes 53 seconds.
“We were running and you heard someone yell, ‘Wait, was that Lil Nas X?’” Mr. Mandje said in an interview. “So he turned around and waved, and they panicked.”
Representatives for Lil Nas X did not respond to a request for comment.
Ahead of Sunday’s event, race officials kept his participation on the back burner, Mr. Simmelkjaer said, as did Lil Nas He also seemed determined to get the full experience, going so far as to personally visit the pre-race expo on Saturday to grab his race bib (No. 2271) and commemorative long-sleeved T-shirt.
He was wearing the shirt when he met Mr Mandje at 6.30am on Sunday. Mr. Mandje, who described himself as “one of the few people in the world” who didn’t know Lil Nas (No.) Did he have a purpose? (End.) Did he want to talk during the race? (Absolutely.) More than anything, Mr. Mandje said, that’s what Lil Nas enjoy the experience.
“We’re going to have a good time,” Mr. Mandje remembered telling him.
When Lil Nas In other words, Lil Nas – unconventional.
“I’m not sure everyone can do that,” Mr. Mandje said.
Lil Nas Coach describes its high-top sneakers as “built for comfort and long-lasting wear.” But they are more than twice as heavy as a normal pair of running sneakers.
And sure enough, around Mile 10, Lil Nas He even came up with the idea of taking a break from the track so he could buy a pair of running shoes at a Foot Locker. But the store was closed, so he plowed on.
“Hey, you’ve come this far,” Mr. Mandje remembered telling him.
Mr Mandje also captured a few moments behind the scenes on social media. For example, at Mile 3 he asked Lil Nas
“I don’t feel anything,” he said. “No pain at all. There’s nothing in my shoulders. There is nothing in my legs at all.”
“And we learn a lot about running, right?” Mr. Basket asked as they continued jogging.
“We’re learning a lot,” Lil Nas
When Mr. Mandje told him to wave goodbye to Brooklyn around Mile 4, Lil Nas Lil Nas And at Mile 11: “I smell ribs. I’m going to use that as motivation.” And at Mile 12: “It’s basically over. Actually, I’ve already done it.”
Mr Simmelkjaer, who used the race’s live results app to track Lil Nas After Mr. Simmelkjaer introduced himself, Lil Nas
“I’m officially no longer uncool as a dad,” Mr Simmelkjaer said.
Mr. Mandje said he was under the impression that Lil Nas
Lil Nas