SHINee's Minho finishes 3rd at triathlon after marathon controversy: 'I didn't want to make excuses'

SHINee member Minho, who recently drew attention for gracefully acknowledging a marathon controversy, finished third at a triathlon competition.

The Friday episode of MBC variety show "I Live Alone" followed Minho as he took on the challenge of a triathlon.

The event required competitors to complete a total of 51.5 kilometers — a 1.5-kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer cycling leg and a 10-kilometer run.

Minho's goal that day was to break his personal best. His previous record stood at 2 hours and 32 minutes, and he set targets of finishing the swim in under 30 minutes, the cycling leg in under 1 hour and 12 minutes, and the run in under 40 minutes — aiming for an overall time in the 2-hour-20-minute range.

An unexpected incident disrupted the opening swim leg when Minho was struck in the face by the foot of a competitor ahead of him.

Minho revealed he immediately feared he was bleeding. "I got kicked in the face and it felt like blood was coming out," he said, recalling the alarming moment.

Despite the setback, Minho pressed on, driven by his goal of setting a new personal record.

More trouble followed on the cycling leg in poor weather conditions. A sensor malfunction on the front gear shifter made it difficult to change gears properly, and the chain then came off entirely, forcing him to stop mid-race. Upon realizing he was falling behind his target pace, Minho pushed himself back onto the pedals.

He ultimately crossed the finish line with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 14 seconds — shaving roughly five minutes off his previous personal best of 2 hours and 32 minutes.

"It was a fight with myself, so I didn't want to make excuses," Minho said afterward. "I felt such relief and a sense of accomplishment that I was moved to tears." He also earned a podium finish, placing third in the men's 35–39 age group.

Meanwhile, Minho had crossed the finish line at the 2026 JTBC Seoul Marathon, held Sunday at Sangam World Cup Park in Mapo-gu, Seoul, with a time of 3 hours, 0 minutes and 18 seconds. The result drew controversy after footage spread appearing to show individuals — believed to be pacers — pushing him from behind during the race.

On Tuesday, Minho posted on social media saying, "Everything that happened was due to my own shortcomings, and as someone who cherishes and loves sport, I feel deeply ashamed," and announced he would voluntarily forfeit his official race time. Online commenters responded positively, with many calling his apology "cool" and "no-nonsense."