Continue reading to uncover which stars regularly participate in marathons and how they inspire others through their efforts…

1. Claire Holt

Actress Claire Holt is a passionate runner who only took the plunge into marathon running in 2022. Preparing for the New York City Marathon, she dedicated herself to an intense 20-week training regimen. Her efforts paid off as she crossed the finish line, successfully raising an impressive $162,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital. Since then, she has participated in several other marathons, furthering her fundraising efforts, but currently, she has declared her retirement from competitive marathon running.

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved to run…never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would willingly sign up to run a marathon — and what’s even wilder is how devoted I became to it,” she shared on her website in 2023. “Hundreds of miles, billions of bagels, and countless tears later, I’m truly glad I did it — primarily because my wonderful family, friends, and incredibly generous strangers helped me raise $162,000 for Boston Children’s Hospital.”

2. Nev Schulman

Television personality Nev Schulman enjoys running and has participated in the New York City Marathon multiple times since 2015. He is known for being one of the fastest celebrities in the race, achieving a remarkable time of 2:58. Reflecting on his journey, Nev discovered in his 30s that running serves as the “best medicine” for his happiness, a realization that became crucial to his recovery after a near-fatal bike accident in 2024.

Despite enduring hospitalization and intensive surgery, Nev found motivation in his desire to guide a blind runner, Francesco Magisano, during the New York City Marathon. His remarkable recovery allowed him to return to running just months after his accident, and the pair managed to compact three months of training into an intense eight-week schedule.

“My body really bounced back,” he told People. “The first few runs were definitely tough; I was going at a much slower pace than I usually do and working much harder than I typically would. But once I got some momentum going, by the third or fourth run, I really felt strong again. I’m not 100%, but I feel great, truly.”

3. Kevin Hart

Comedian and actor Kevin Hart is an enthusiastic runner who has participated in several marathons. Before his first major race, he organized pop-up 5Ks as part of his comedy tours, allowing fans to join him on the pavement. In 2017, he set a goal to complete the New York City Marathon, marking his first major race. His dedication to training was evident as he often woke up at 4 AM to run 11 miles. Since then, he has successfully completed multiple races, including the Chicago Marathon.

“During a long run, there is no thinking. I’m zoned out in a great space with great music,” he told Runner’s World. “Some of my best ideas happen during my runs. The peace that comes from running is the perfect time to be creative…I’m doing this to be an example that you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I put my mind to it, and I’m going to get it done. That simple.”

4. Casey Neistat

YouTuber Casey Neistat consistently ranks as one of the fastest celebrities in the New York City Marathon. His running journey began in 2007 following a serious scooter accident that resulted in surgery where his femur was replaced with a metal rod. Doctors claimed he would never run again, but he was determined to prove them wrong, ultimately aiming for a sub-3 marathon. Over the years, he has completed more than 25 marathons and reached his goal in 2023.

“You do a lot of meaningless, purposeless silly things,” he states. “You get obsessed, you spend years focused on them, and truly no one cares but you. But you persist anyway. You keep running. You don’t give up. You die trying because when you add up all these silly, meaningless obsessions and accomplishments, what they equal, what they add up to, is your life,” he shared with Runner’s World.

5. Karlie Kloss

Karlie Kloss has always been athletic, but running was not her initial passion. She excelled in short-distance events but decided to challenge herself by trying a half marathon in 2015. She started training for a race in Paris, and after successfully completing it, she shifted her focus to the New York City Marathon. She ran her first marathon in 2017 and has since participated in several more half marathons.

“I love to do things that take me out of my comfort zone, and the idea of running a half marathon was beyond scary and definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone,” she shared with Runner’s World. “Running a marathon is something I never dreamed I would do.”

6. Mario Lopez

Mario Lopez grew up as an athlete, but it wasn’t until adulthood that he truly began to enjoy running. He started with a few miles alongside a friend and gradually increased his mileage to running 5 to 7 days a week, sometimes exceeding 10 miles. In 2002, he ran his first race, the Boston Marathon, in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Since then, he has participated in numerous marathons, including the New York City Marathon.

“I began running only a few miles a day with my buddy, who was a cross-country runner who taught me how to do track workouts. Now I typically run 5 to 7 days a week, usually 3 or 4 miles each time, but longer runs on the weekend, say, 10 or 12 miles. I enjoy how it makes my body feel, providing me with energy and endurance,” Mario shared with Runner’s World.

7. Christy Turlington

When Christy Turlington participated in her first marathon in 2012, she did not consider herself a runner; she simply wanted to support her nonprofit, Every Mother Counts. Since then, she has discovered a deep passion for running and has completed all six world marathons: Tokyo, Berlin, Chicago, Boston, London, and New York. She has participated in the New York City Marathon ten times.

“With any race, I just try to be as prepared as possible and not get attached to an outcome. I just try to enjoy being in the moment,” she shared with The Cut. “People are in really good spirits, and you see some truly heroic efforts out there. I recommend people [run for] a charity. Running for yourself is great and feels good. But sometimes when you’re out there for that long, you need another motivation. Having a charity or a team can really make a difference.”

8. Matt James

Former Bachelor star Matt James has had a lifelong passion for running, but it wasn’t until recent years that he became truly invested in long-distance races. In 2019, he participated in the Chicago Marathon, and in 2021, he completed the New York City Marathon, which he has now finished four times, including the London Marathon.

“I love exercising. I love competing. I love the camaraderie of it; many of my friends are involved. Especially the training aspect. Marathon day is filled with great energy, but everything leading up to that point is what I find most enjoyable. The whole process serves as a reminder that I — we — are all capable of achieving so much more than we think we can,” he expressed in an interview with GQ.

9. Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys has successfully completed several marathons, with her first taking place during a trip to Greece. Reflecting on that experience, Alicia noted that Greece is the birthplace of