Abeeeer apologizes for bicycle ride during Berlin Marathon

Chinese fitness influencer Abeeeer apologized on October 3 after acknowledging that riding a bicycle during the Berlin Marathon violated race rules. Brooks China, which had partnered with her, said it ended the relationship after reviewing the incident and acknowledged that its own checks had not examined the full participation process, including segment data. Abeeeer had presented a 4:53:46 finish in the September 27 race as a personal best. The Official Marathon Time Integrity Unit (OMTIU), an Instagram account that scrutinizes race performances, said images showed her on a bicycle near the 38-kilometer point. It also pointed to her fastest five-kilometer split occurring between 35 and 40 kilometers, the stretch where she was reportedly seen riding. The images and timing interpretation were attributed to OMTIU in the reports. The underlying photographs and complete official timing records were not provided, and no official ruling by Berlin Marathon organizers or a race body was established in the accounts. In her apology, Abeeeer said that feeling unwell during the race did not excuse her conduct.