Overheard on the Half-Marathon: ‘Wait, Was That Lil Nas X?’

Ahead of one in all its signature occasions, New York Road Runners fielded an uncommon e-mail request on Friday evening.

The rapper and singer Lil Nas X, who was visiting New York from Los Angeles, had seen some ads for the United Airlines NYC Half, a 13.1-mile race that was set to be staged on Sunday morning. And one in all his representatives was curious: Did the race have room for yet another runner?

“It form of got here out of the blue,” Rob Simmelkjaer, the chief govt of New York Road Runners, stated in a phone interview on Monday.

The nonprofit, which places on about 60 races every year, together with the New York City Marathon, was completely happy to oblige. It hardly mattered that Lil Nas X, who will flip 25 subsequent month, had seldom run greater than three miles consecutively, not to mention a half-marathon. Or that he confirmed up for the race in a pair of Coach high-top sneakers, that are extra boot than high-end racing flat.

Accompanied by Roberto Mandje, New York Road Runners’ senior adviser for operating engagement and training, Lil Nas X was amongst greater than 27,000 finishers, finishing the race in 2 hours 32 minutes 53 seconds.

“We can be operating and also you’d hear somebody shout, ‘Wait, was that Lil Nas X?’” Mr. Mandje stated in an interview. “So he’d flip round and wave, and so they’d freak out.”

Representatives for Lil Nas X didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Ahead of Sunday’s occasion, race officers saved his inclusion on the “down low,” Mr. Simmelkjaer stated, as did Lil Nas X, who entered the race utilizing his actual identify, Montero Hill. He additionally appeared decided to get the total expertise, going as far as to go to the pre-race expo in particular person on Saturday to seize his race bib (No. 2271) and commemorative long-sleeve T-shirt.

He was sporting the shirt when he met up with Mr. Mandje on Sunday at 6:30 a.m. Mr. Mandje, who described himself as “one of many solely folks on this planet” who was unfamiliar with Lil Nas X, did a fast evaluation: Had he been coaching? (No.) Did he have a purpose? (Finish.) Did he need to chat through the race? (Absolutely.) Above all, Mr. Mandje stated, Lil Nas X wished to benefit from the expertise.

“We’re going to have a superb time,” Mr. Mandje recalled telling him.

As Lil Nas X entered uncharted territory about midway by the race, Mr. Mandje supplied helpful perspective: Just about everybody else on the course had spent a number of months coaching for the race. Lil Nas X, in different phrases, was doing one thing — find out how to put it? — unconventional.

“I’m undecided all people might pull that off,” Mr. Mandje stated.

Lil Nas X’s footwear finally brought on some points. Coach describes its high-top sneakers as “constructed for consolation and lengthy put on.” But they’re greater than twice as heavy as a traditional pair of operating sneakers.

Sure sufficient, at round Mile 10, Lil Nas X instructed Mr. Mandje that his ft have been bothering him. He even entertained the concept of momentarily stepping off the course in order that he might purchase a pair of operating sneakers at a Foot Locker. But the shop was closed, so he plowed forward.

“Hey, you’ve made it this far,” Mr. Mandje recalled telling him.

Mr. Mandje additionally captured some behind-the-scenes moments on social media. At Mile 3, for instance, he requested Lil Nas X how he was feeling.

“I really feel nothing,” he stated. “No ache in any respect. Nothing in my shoulders. Nothing in my legs in any respect.”

“And we’re studying so much about operating, proper?” Mr. Mandje requested as they continued to jog.

“We’re studying so much,” Lil Nas X stated, “and I simply lied about these issues.”

At round Mile 4, when Mr. Mandje instructed him to wave goodbye to Brooklyn, Lil Nas X waved goodbye to Brooklyn. Lil Nas X supplied further perception at Mile 9: “I’m nonetheless alive.” And at Mile 11: “I odor ribs. I’m going to make use of that as motivation.” And at Mile 12: “It’s principally over with. I principally already did it.”

Mr. Simmelkjaer, who used the race’s reside outcomes app to trace Lil Nas X’s progress, stated he was impressed when the star ran by the end line with none apparent indicators of misery. After Mr. Simmelkjaer launched himself, Lil Nas X grabbed a telephone in order that he might take a number of selfies with Mr. Simmelkjaer and his 15-year-old daughter, Julia.

“I’m formally not uncool as a dad,” Mr. Simmelkjaer stated.

Mr. Mandje stated he was left with the impression that Lil Nas X’s first street race wouldn’t be his final — “The seed is planted,” Mr. Mandje stated — although that continues to be to be seen.

Lil Nas X celebrated his achievement on Instagram by posting a photograph of himself along with his finisher’s medal — from the consolation of a wheelchair.