Distance running started to become popular in the U.S. in the 1970s – apparently inspired largely by Frank Shorter’s gold medal marathon run at the 1972 Munich Olympics – and there are no signs that interest is abating. (Here are the locations of the last 31 Summer Olympics.)
The non-profit running-advocate organization Running USA reported that there were 425,000 marathon runners in the United States in 2008, an increase of 20% from the beginning of the decade, and the number has only grown since then. Celebrities have taken up the ultimate distance-running challenge, and that has boosted interest in running. (These are the best American cities for runners.)
Virtually every major city holds an annual marathon, as do smaller towns and rural areas – there are more than 1,000 of these 26.2-mile races in the U.S. each year – and they draw not just serious runners from the everyday population but also celebrities of various kinds.
To determine a list of celebrities who have run marathons in America, 24/7 Tempo consulted media sources for news on famous people who have run marathons in the past. We focused on those figures who are in movies, television, radio, stage, music, and major league sports to compile our list.
A major impetus for celebrities to run in a marathon is to support a favored charity. Actor Ryan Reynolds has run to benefit research on Parkinson’s disease because his father suffered from that condition. Actor Edward Norton and singer Alanis Morissette participated in the New York City Marathon to raise money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which protects the Maasai tribe’s home and customs in East Africa. Actor Ashton Kutcher took part in the 2022 New York City Marathon to help THORN, an international anti-human trafficking organization that defends children against sexual exploitation.
Click here to read about 40 celebrities who have run marathons
Past and current athletes run to support charities, too, but running also satisfies their competitive urges. These athletes include former NFL star Tiki Barber, tennis pros James Blake and Marion Bartoli, and soccer legend Abby Wambach.
Some celebrities took up running to help them get in shape for a role, such as Theo Rossi in “Sons of Anarchy,” or to jettison an unhealthy lifestyle, a decision made by Death Cab for Cutie band member Ben Gibbard.
Abby Wambach
> Occupation: Soccer player
> Marathon(s): 2021 New York City Marathon
Women’s soccer star Abby Wambach has won an Olympic gold medal twice and the World Cup twice. She burnished her athletic credentials further by finishing the 2021 New York City Marathon with a time of 3:44:25.
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Al Roker
> Occupation: TV personality
> Marathon(s): 2010 New York City Marathon
Today Show weatherman Al Roker completed the 2010 New York City Marathon with a time of 7:09:44. Roker had long struggled with his weight, and had gastric bypass surgery in 2002, but had only begun running several months before the 2010 race.
Alanis Morissette
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2009 New York City Marathon
The Canadian-born pop star, winner of seven Grammy awards, finished the 2009 New York City Marathon at 4:28:45. minutes, running on behalf of the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.
Alicia Keys
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2015 New York City Marathon
Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Alicia Keys ran the 2015 New York City Marathon 5:50:52. Keys ran in support of her organization, Keep a Kid Alive, which provides HIV medications to children in Africa.
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Andrea Barber
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2016 Los Angeles Marathon
Television viewers remember Andrea Barber as the annoying neighbor on the family sitcom “Full House.” She also is a runner and she completed the 2016 Los Angeles Marathon in 4:58:02.
Andrew Shue and Amy Robach
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2019 New York City Marathon
Andrew Shue, best known for playing heartthrob Billy on the series “Melrose Place,” ran the 2021 New York City Marathon in 4:16:30. His now-estranged wife, TV personality Amy Robach, ran with him, barely edging him out at 4:16:29. The couple ran in support of New York Road Runners Team for Kids, an organization that fundraises for youth programs.
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Apolo Ohno
> Occupation: Speed skater
> Marathon(s): 2011 New York City Marathon
Apolo Ohno is the most accomplished U.S. Winter Olympian of all time, winning eight speed-skating medals (two gold, two silver, four bronze), and is a member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. He finished the 2011 New York City Marathon in 3:25:12.
Ashton Kutcher
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2022 New York City Marathon
The actor known for the sitcoms “Two and a Half Men” and “That ’70s Show,” trained for six months for the 2022 New York City Marathon, which he completed in a time of 3:54:01. He ran in support of THORN, an international anti-human trafficking organization that defends children against sexual exploitation.
Ben Gibbard
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2011 Los Angeles Marathon
Ben Gibbard is the lead singer for the group Death Cab for Cutie . He ran the 2011 Los Angeles Marathon in 3 hours and 56 minutes. He’s run other marathons since then. Gibbard took up running because he wanted to end his unhealthy lifestyle.
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Bobby Flay
> Occupation: Celebrity chef
> Marathon(s): 2010 New York City Marathon
Celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality Bobby Flay clocked in at 4:01:37 in the 2010 New York City Marathon.
Bryan Cranston
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 1985 New York City Marathon
The four-time Emmy winner who made meth-cooking high school teacher William White one of TV’s legendary characters, ran the 1985 New York City Marathon in 3:20:45.
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Cynthia Erivo
> Occupation: Actor/singer
> Marathon(s): 2016 New York City Marathon
Cynthia Erivo is a Grammy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer. She ran the 2016 New York City Marathon with a time of 3:57:07.
Drew Carey
> Occupation: Comedian
> Marathon(s): 2011 Marine Corps Marathon
Comedian and television-show fixture Drew Carey (“The Price Is Right,” “Drew Carey Show”) ran the 2011 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., with a time of 4:37:11.
Edward Norton
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2009 New York City Marathon
Actor Edward Norton (“American History X,” “The Italian Job”) turned in a time of 3:48:01 in the 2009 New York City Marathon. Norton trained in Kenya for the event to raise money for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, which protects the Maasai tribe’s home and customs in East Africa.
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Ellie Kemper
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2022 New York City Marathon
Television viewers know Ellie Kemper from her appearances on “The Office” and the “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.” The actor completed the 2022 New York City Marathon in 5:17:39.
Ethan Hawke
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2015 New York City Marathon
Actor Ethan Hawke finished the 2015 New York City Marathon in 4:25:30. Hawke, who starred in the movies “Training Day” and “Before Sunset,” ran to raise funds and awareness on behalf of The Doe Fund to combat criminal recidivism.
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Michael Balzary (Flea)
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2012 Los Angeles Marathon
Michael Balzary, better known as Flea, is the bass player for the six-time Grammy Award-winning funk/alternative rock group Red Hot Chili Peppers. He ran the 2012 Los Angeles Marathon in 3:41:49.
Freddie Prinze Jr.
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2006 Los Angeles Marathon
Actor Freddie Prinze Jr. (“She’s All That,” “Scooby-Doo”) crossed the finish line at the 2006 Los Angeles Marathon with a time of 5:50:49, running under the name Freddie James (James is his middle name).
Gordon Ramsay
> Occupation: Celebrity chef
> Marathon(s): 2004 London Marathon
In-your-face celebrity chef and TV food-show host Gordon Ramsay (“Hell’s Kitchen” “MasterChef USA”) ran the 2004 London Marathon in a respectable 3:30:37.
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James Blake
> Occupation: Tennis player
> Marathon(s): 2015 New York City Marathon
Former tennis professional James Blake, who once was ranked fourth in the world and was the No. 1 U.S. player, hit the New York City pavement in 2015 and ran the marathon in 3:51:19.
Jennifer Carpenter
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2010 New York City Marathon
Actor Jennifer Carpenter (“The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” “Dexter”) is a dedicated runner. She completed the 2010 New York City Marathon in 3:34:28 to help raise about $186,000 for the non-profit organization Every Mother Counts.
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Joey McIntyre
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2013 Boston Marathon
Joey McIntyre, member of boy band New Kids on the Block, ran the 2013 Boston Marathon in 3:57:06, crossing the finish line about five minutes before two terrorist bombs exploded near the wite, killing three and injuring almost 150. McIntyre ran the race in memory of his mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (she died the following year). McIntyre ran the 2014 Boston Marathon, too, this time in honor of the city and its healing, he said â and finished at 3:48:11.
Katie Holmes
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2007 New York City Marathon
Actor Katie Holmes (“Batman Begins,” “Dawson’s Creek”) ran the 2007 New York City Marathon in 5:29:58.
Kevin Hart
> Occupation: Actor/comedian
> Marathon(s): 2017 New York City Marathon
Funnyman and actor Kevin Hart (“Jumanji” “Scary Movie 3,” “Ride Along”) took running in the 2017 New York City Marathon seriously. He completed the 26.2-mile course in 4:05:06.
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Marcus Mumford and Ben Lovett
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2021 New York City Marathon
Frontman for the Grammy-Award-winning British folk-rock group Mumford and Sons ran the 2021 New York City Marathon, his first, in 3:53:22. Bandmate Ben Lovett clocked in at 4:35:18.
Mario Lopez
> Occupation: TV celebrity
> Marathon(s): 2011 New York City Marathon
Actor and television personality Mario Lopez (“Pacific Blue” “Saved by the Bell”) ran the 2011 New York City Marathon in 4:23:30.
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Marion Bartoli
> Occupation: Tennis player
> Marathon(s): 2016 New York City Marathon
Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon women’s singles champion, discarded her tennis racket to run the 2016 New York City Marathon and clocked in at 5:40:04. She ran in support of the New York Road Runners Team for Kids charity, and raised $5,000 for the group.
Natalie Dormer
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2014 and 2016 London Marathons
Natalie Dormer has been part of two major entertainment franchises: Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games. The British actor has run several marathons, including the 2014 London Marathon, where she posted a time of 3:50:57, and the 2016 race, where she came in at 3:51:21.
Oprah Winfrey
> Occupation: TV personality/entrepreneur
> Marathon(s): 1994 Marine Corps Marathon
You can include completing a marathon among Oprah Winfrey’s long list of accomplishments. The television host and entrepreneur completed the 1994 Marine Corps Marathon in 4:29:15.
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Pamela Anderson
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2013 New York City Marathon
Actor/model Pam Anderson, who ran on the beach as a lifeguard in 76 episodes of “Baywatch” on TV and in three “Baywatch” movies, hit the streets to run the 2013 New York City Marathon in 5:41:03, participating in support of the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.
Ryan Reynolds
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2008 New York City Marathon
Actor Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool,” “Red Notice”) ran the 2008 New York City Marathon in 3:50:22 to raise money for Parkinson’s disease research (his father suffered from Parkinson’s, dying from it in 2020).
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Sean Astin
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 1998 Los Angeles Marathon
Sean Astin, who appeared in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and as a young actor in “The Goonies,” ran the 1998 Los Angeles Marathon in 4:04:42. He hasn’t stopped running; Astin has run in 13 marathons and one Ironman triathlon to date.
Sean Combs
> Occupation: Musician
> Marathon(s): 2003 New York City Marathon
Singer P. Diddy – born Sean Combs – helped raise more than $2 million to help New York City’s public schools by running the 2003 New York City Marathon, overcoming leg cramps for half the race to finish in 4:14:54. A two-part MTV documentary chronicled his nearly two-month preparation for the race.
Shia LaBeouf
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2010 Los Angeles Marathon
Actor Shia LaBeouf (“Honey Boy,” “Transformers”) ran the 2010 Los Angeles Marathon in 4:35:31. He did so to honor veterans and to benefit U.S. Vets, the country’s largest non-profit veterans’ service organization.
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Terri Hatcher
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2014 New York City Marathon
Actor Terri Hatcher (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Desperate Housewives”) ran the 2014 New York City Marathon in 5:06:42. She ran again in 2018 with her daughter, finishing in 5:51:21. Together they raised $11,000 for the organization Save the Children.
Theo Rossi
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2016 New York City Marathon
Actor Theo Rossi started running to lose weight for his role as Juice in the FX series “Sons of Anarchy.” He kept right on running, and turned in a time of 3:35:48 at the 2016 New York City Marathon.
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Tiki Barber
> Occupation: Radio/TV sports announcer
> Marathon(s): 2021 New York Marathon
Tiki Barber was a star running back for the New York Giants before he became a radio and television football analyst and he’s kept up the momentum off the field, running seven New York City Marathons, including the 2021 race, in which he clocked in at 4:47:49.
Uzo Aduba
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2015 Boston Marathon
Famous for playing the character Crazy Eyes on the cable television series “Orange is the New Black,” the three-time Emmy-Award winner ran the 2015 Boston Marathon in 2015 in 5:03:24. She had earlier run the New York City Marathon in 2013.
Valerie Bertinelli
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2010 Boston Marathon
Actor Valerie Bertinelli (“One Day at a Time,” “Hot in Cleveland”) completed the 2010 Boston Marathon in 5:14:37.
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Will Ferrell
> Occupation: Actor
> Marathon(s): 2003 Boston Marathon
TV and movie funnyman and four-time Emmy-winner Will Ferrell (“Saturday Night Live,” the Anchorman films) ran the 2003 Boston Marathon in 4:02:29. Ferrell has also run marathons in New York and Stockholm.
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