Tutu-Clad Runners Rally After 'Self' Magazine Insult

After Self magazine published some harsh remarks about a cancer-stricken runner wearing a tutu, the tutu brigade came out in full force. INSIDE EDITION has the story.

Runners are showing support for a brave brain cancer patient who was ridiculed for wearing a tutu while running a marathon.

The April issue of Self magazine ran a photo of Monika Allen and her friend running the Los Angeles marathon in tutus, calling the trend, "lame."

The article in Self magazine wrote: "People think these froufrou skirts make you run faster. Now, if you told us they made people run away from you faster, maybe we would believe it."

But if the magazine had bothered to look closer, they would have seen that Monika’s friend's racing bib says, "Die tumor die!"

They were wearing super hero costumes and tutus because cancer-stricken Monika said the silly look made her feel better and inspired her to finish the race. What’s even more impressive is that, at the time, Monika was undergoing chemo. 

When she saw what Self magazine had written about her, she was truly upset. Allen told INSIDE EDITION, "I was really offended. It's kind of an insult to be put in huge magazine and be called lame."

Outraged supporters took to Self's Facebook page with comments like: “Everyone should cancel their subscription," and "Shame on you Self.”

Self magazine later explained that it had no idea Monika was battling brain cancer and posted apology on its website saying, "We messed up...Monika is a complete inspiration."

Monika's tutu brigade gathered in San Diego over the weekend to show their support.