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Matt James, the once main character of ‘The Bachelor’, created a memorable instance by competing alongside the pro runners during the NYC Marathon. He is the character from the reality show who uploaded a stunning video of the landmark event, where he was among the top sportsmen at the Queensboro Bridge, and he dubbed the experience “out of this world” while he was sharing his admiration for the city that never sleeps. This surprise act of sportsmanship captivated and attracted the attention of diehard fans and casual runners alike.
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The clip shows James smoothly running with the most privileged group and cheerleading with “looking good” and “keep pushing, mate” to the athletes as they were crossing the iconic bridge. His narration is infused with the thrill of the moment and he is incredulous to be alongside the marathon pros. The hard NYC Marathon Queensboro Bridge segment is notorious for its high difficulty level and thus, James’ monumental effortlessness in this competitive environment becomes even more impressive.
One user remarked upon recognizing James during the live stream, “I knew that was you on the live feed lmao” displaying wit. Another user was so amazed that he inquired, “How come you are running ahead of the elites??” Quite a few people were so stunned that they could not comprehend why and how this ‘glamour boy’ was running with the professional athletes at the same speed in the first place.
The bridge was in itself a subject of discussion among the marathon professionals. A veteran marathon runner during the ascent commented, “That bridge gives me PTSD,” while another replied, “I hurt watching people run over that bridge,” indicating the difficulty of that part of the race route.
Many commenters shared that they had spotted James near various points of the marathon trail. One viewer wrote, “Saw you pass through LIC! 48th Avenue!! My window overlooks the spot where you ran,” while another pointed, “Bro I saw you on 114 and 2 av,” suggesting that James had become quite a fast runner and he maintained the same speed throughout the race. A third person commented, “Just saw you run by mile 18 you’re killing it!!!!” on the runner’s extraordinary performance even so far into the 26.2-mile race.
Then comparisons with other celebrities emerged in the comments with the one that said, “Bro, you are like the runnable version of @therock. Yall have the same characters,” comparing James’ exuberance to Dwayne Johnson’s magnetic public charm. Besides, another commenter remarked, “You giving me rocky vibes. Can we do a rocky new series with you in the lead,” showing James in a sports drama character.
Not all comments were focusing solely on his running performance. One user wrote, “Your not running with your best friend Tyler?” referring to James’ friendship with another contestant from Bachelor Nation, Tyler Cameron, who, unlike James, has run a marathon only once and not together with him. James’ unavailability has been noticed by the fans who are aware of the previous physical collaborations.
James’ marathon performance has been met with overwhelming positive reactions and the comments range from “Keep going, smashing it” to “We saw you crushing it today! Go Matt go!” The thrill is a blend of astonishment at his athletic talent and genuine encouragement for his victory. Even the official Strava account dropped by to extend him a warm word, which attests to his acceptance in the bigger running community.
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James’ marathon performance writes a new chapter in his active life book, rather filled with long-distance running events since he was on TV. He not only performed but also kept his followers engaged through the experience, proving that he is a person of both fitness and interaction with the audience through shared experiences. The New York City Marathon moment was a significant sporting feat for the star, revealing a commitment that goes beyond his show business career. His genuine exhilaration in the videos is a clear sign that the marathon was not just an event, but rather a personal triumph in one of the most significant running scenarios. He has also shared his top three chocolate chip cookie spots in Toronto, revealed his favorite pancake spots in Toronto with Blue Jays support, celebrated World Pasta Day by fueling NYC Marathon runners, and received a bizarre brown paper bag for leftovers in Toronto. He even tested pumpkin spice chicken wings, sparking a seasonal debate.
