Ki-an 84 Completes Second Marathon at New York City Marathon, Balancing Laughter and Emotion

Ki-an 84 (기안84) has successfully completed his second full marathon at the New York City Marathon, showcasing both humor and heartfelt moments. The episode aired on November 22, 2024, on MBC's 'I Live Alone' (나 혼자 산다), where Ki-an 84's journey through the iconic race was highlighted.

Having previously completed his first full marathon in Cheongju a year ago, Ki-an 84 returned with renewed confidence, aiming to finish within four hours. The New York City Marathon, one of the six major marathons in the world, attracted over 60,000 participants, creating an impressive atmosphere.

Ki-an 84's determination was evident as he embarked on the race, greeting cheering spectators with smiles while maintaining his pace. However, as he reached the 20-kilometer mark, he faced a significant physical challenge. The notorious uphill section, known as the 'Bridge of Death,' took its toll, and by the 31-kilometer point, he found himself struggling to continue.

In a moment of inspiration, he spotted a fellow runner using crutches, which motivated him to push through his own exhaustion. Reflecting on this experience, Ki-an 84 remarked, "Seeing others giving their all made me realize I had no right to complain. It spurred me on to run harder."

As he approached the finish line, the sight of supportive community members cheering him on fueled his final efforts. Wrapping himself in a Korean flag given by a supporter, Ki-an 84 crossed the finish line, a moment filled with emotion. He expressed, "I’m not a national athlete or an Olympic competitor, but unfurling the flag brought a strange sense of pride."

His official finish time was 4 hours, 48 minutes, and 16 seconds. The following day, upon seeing that his name was just shy of being listed in the New York Times alongside other finishers, he humorously vented his frustration, saying, "Was my time not even worth mentioning? If they said they would include it, they should have followed through!"

Despite not meeting his initial time goal, Ki-an 84 emphasized the personal growth he experienced through running, stating, "It helps me find myself completely," and hinted at his intention to continue pursuing his running ambitions.

According to Nielsen Korea, the episode of 'I Live Alone' achieved a household rating of 8.5% in the metropolitan area, ranking first in its time slot and among Friday entertainment programs. The key moment of the episode, where Ki-an 84 prepared to start the marathon, peaked at a rating of 9.5%.