Cover Ashton Kutcher runs during the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon on November 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo: Roy Rochlin/New York Road Runners via Getty Images)
Ashton Kutcher runs during the 2022 TCS New York City Marathon on November 06, 2022 in New York City. (Photo: Roy Rochlin/New York Road Runners via Getty Images)
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From Hong Kong to New York, the marathon remains an enduring symbol of grit and perseverance, attracting participants from all walks of life. These celebrities crushed 42.2 kilometres in under four hours
The Hong Kong marathon just came to a close but it seems the current obsession with endurance running is hardly over. Marathons have evolved beyond sporting events into symbols of resilience, discipline and personal triumph. It’s no surprise that some of the most accomplished figures in history—whether world leaders, cultural icons or Hollywood elites—have taken to the pavement to test their limits.
Marathon running has long been a battleground for mental toughness, a quality shared by politicians navigating high-stakes diplomacy, scientists pushing intellectual boundaries and entertainers dominating global industries. Some have completed the race for charity, others for personal achievement and a select few have even posted elite-level times.
Here’s a look at the political, historical and pop culture figures who have proven their mettle on the marathon course.
1. Alan Turing
Occupation: mathematician, codebreaker, computer science pioneer
Marathon: unofficial 1947 Olympic Games trials
Best time: 2 hours, 46 minutes, 3 seconds
A true genius both intellectually and physically, Alan Turing wasn’t just the father of modern computing. He was also a serious long-distance runner. He tried out for the 1948 Olympic Games, finishing an impressive 2:46:03. He didn't qualify due to injury but his time was faster than eventual silver medallist Thomas Richards. The next year, at 37, he joined a meet and ran almost eight kilometres in 22 minutes.
In 1952, Turing was convicted of homosexual acts and ordered to undergo chemical castration. According to Benedict Cumberbatch, who played Turing in The Imitation Game, the hormone injections robbed the mathematician of his athletic abilities.
2. Daniel Humm
Occupation: Michelin-star chef, restaurateur
Marathon: New York City Marathon, Boston Marathon
Best time: 2:58:53
The Swiss-born chef behind the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park has an almost obsessive passion for fine dining and fitness. Humm regularly competes in marathons, having run the New York City Marathon five times and the Boston Marathon once (this run gave him his best official time). A fitness enthusiast, Humm also does yoga twice a week and sees a personal trainer around four times a week. He was also a former professional road racing cyclist.
3. Bryan Cranston
Occupation: actor, director, producer
Marathon: 1985 and 1986 New York City Marathon, others
Best time: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Before breaking bad as Walter White, Bryan Cranston was breaking personal records on the marathon course. His impressive 3:20 time in the 1985 New York City Marathon shows that his endurance goes beyond acting. In Jason Bateman’s SmartLess podcast, Cranston said he got into running first as a spectator in 1984. He stood for five and a half hours and asked himself why he couldn't join as well. He joined the 1985 New York City Marathon, clocking in his best time, especially for a newcomer. He ran it again the year after. According to Cranston, he completed four marathons, all of which he finished in under four hours.
Also read: Up for a challenge? Conquer the world’s most prestigious marathon races
4. Joe Strummer
Occupation: musician
Marathon: 1981, 1982 and 1983 London Marathon, Paris Marathon
Best time: 3:20
The legendary Joe Strummer, frontman of The Clash, was as rebellious on the run as he was on stage. The punk icon completed the London Marathon three times, clocking in on average at four hours. His personal best was in 1982 when he logged in an impressive 3:20. Strummer claimed that he never trained. In a 1983 interview, he admitted, “I just bought a pair of shoes and gave it a go.” Even more impressive? He accomplished his consecutive runs without today's running technology.
5. Harry Styles
Occupation: musician
Marathon: 2025 Tokyo Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 24 minutes, 7 seconds
You need a lot of stamina to perform sold-out tours, so it's not surprising how fit Harry Styles is. However, his feat at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon was something else. He ran with an average pace of 4 minutes and 51 seconds per kilometre. Styles hasn't been forthcoming about his running hobby. However, he did train specifically for the marathon and worked with trainer Thibo David to get ready for the hard task.
6. Gordon Ramsay
Occupation: celebrity chef, TV personality
Marathon: 2004 London Marathon, others
Best time: 3 hours, 30 minutes, 37 seconds
It's no secret that Gordon Ramsay wanted to be a football player growing up, but had to trade goals for the griddle after an injury. However, when he’s not yelling at contestants in the kitchen, Ramsay pushes his limits on the pavement. His London Marathon time of 3:30:37 is no small feat. He has completed at least 15 marathons and also joined three ultra-marathons, three half-Ironmans and two Ironman World Championships.
7. Nev Schulman
Occupation: TV host, producer
Marathon: 2015, 2018, 2022 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 34 minutes, 31 seconds
Nev Schulman, the face of Catfish: The TV Show, is more than just an expert at uncovering online deceptions. He’s ticked the New York City Marathon off his bucket list multiple times, with his fastest time in 2018 at 3 hours, 34 minutes and 31 seconds. A strong advocate for youth fitness, Schulman ran to support NYRR Team for Kids, an organisation promoting running programs for underserved youth.
8. Theo Rossi
Occupation: actor (Sons of Anarchy, Luke Cage)
Marathon: 2016 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 35 minutes, 23 seconds
Best known for playing tough guys on screen, Theo Rossi shocked many with his 3:35:23 finish in the New York City Marathon. According to the actor, he landed a role as a meth addict, which required him to lose weight. His solution turned out to be running. Despite his background as an athlete, he was surprised that he could barely run a mile. His determination turned into an addiction. He lost 43 pounds in 12 weeks, quit smoking and drinking and started to smash his running PRs.
9. George W Bush
Occupation: 43rd President of the United States
Marathon: 1993 Houston Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 44 minutes, 52 seconds
George W Bush is hardly the first person in the White House to be an avid runner. Jimmy Carter (who himself completed the 1991 New York City Marathon in four hours, 28 minutes and 30 seconds) and Bill Clinton were known to jog regularly, too. Barack Obama has also been photographed running alongside Secret Service Agents. However, Bush can claim to be the fastest US president to complete a marathon. His sub-four-hour finish in Houston stands as a testament to his discipline and determination.
See more: 10 incredible marathons in Asia for adventure runners
10. Edward Norton
Occupation: actor, director
Marathon: 2009 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 48 minutes, 1 second
Oscar nominee Edward Norton is known for his serious performances, but he took that intensity to the pavement in 2009. He signed up for the New York City Marathon to raise funds for the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust. He actually trained alongside Maasai warriors, who joined him on race day in traditional attire.
11. Ryan Reynolds
Occupation: actor, producer, writer, entrepreneur
Marathon: 2008 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 50 minutes, 22 seconds
Before he was Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds proved he was a real-life superhero by completing the 2008 New York City Marathon in 3 hours, 50 minutes and 22 seconds. Reynolds dedicated his run to his father, who battled Parkinson’s disease, and used the race to raise awareness for the Michael J Fox Foundation. Despite claiming he had “the knees of a 90-year-old grandmother” by the end of the race, his performance cemented him as one of the fastest actors to hit the marathon circuit.
12. Diplo
Occupation: DJ
Marathon: 2023 Los Angeles Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 55 minutes, 11 seconds
Superstar DJ Diplo (real name: Thomas Wesley Pentz) is known for keeping crowds moving, but in 2023, he put his own stamina to the test at the Los Angeles Marathon. With little formal training, he still managed to clock a strong 3 hours, 55 minutes and 11 seconds. His finish became infamous after he claimed to have been fuelled by whisky. He also mentioned that all he wanted to do was beat Oprah’s time. The daytime talk show host ran for 4 hours and 29 minutes on her 40th birthday.
13. Ashton Kutcher
Occupation: actor, producer, entrepreneur
Marathon: 2022 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 54 minutes, 1 second
Ashton Kutcher proved his endurance when he completed the 2022 New York City Marathon in an impressive 3 hours, 54 minutes and 1 second. The actor trained extensively while juggling his work and documented his progress with the help of elite athletes like David Goggins. Kutcher joined the race to raise over US$1 million for Thorn, the nonprofit he co-founded to fight child exploitation.
14. Will Ferrell
Above In ‘Elf’, Will Ferrell proved he's a champion snowball thrower. In real life, he's completed a marathon in impressive time. (Photo: Warner Home Video via IMDB)
In ‘Elf’, Will Ferrell proved he's a champion snowball thrower. In real life, he's completed a marathon in impressive time. (Photo: Warner Home Video via IMDB)
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Occupation: actor, comedian, producer
Marathon: 2003 Boston Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 56 minutes, 12 seconds
Known for his outrageous humour and larger-than-life performances, Will Ferrell took a serious turn when he ran the Boston Marathon in under four hours. His commitment to fitness is no joke, proving that he’s got both stamina and comedic timing.
15. Cynthia Erivo
Occupation: actress
Marathon: 2016 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 57 minutes, 7 seconds
Tony-, Grammy- and Emmy-winning actress Cynthia Erivo isn’t just a vocal powerhouse, she’s got serious endurance too. In 2016, fresh off her star-making turn in The Colour Purple on Broadway, Erivo completed the New York City Marathon after a gruelling 3 hours, 57 minutes and 7 seconds. She trained for it despite an eight-show-a-week schedule. Erivo joined other runs and even completed a 21-kilometre race despite suffering an asthma attack near the finish line.
16. Pippa Middleton
Occupation: author, columnist, socialite
Marathon: 2015 Great Wall Marathon (China)
Best time: 3 hours, 56 minutes, 33 seconds
The Great Wall Marathon is notorious for being one of the toughest marathons in the world. Unlike your typical city race, this brutal course includes over 5,000 stone steps and steep mountain climbs. Pippa Middleton's sub-four-hour finish proved her strength, resilience and athletic ability.
17. Chelsea Clinton
Occupation: author
Marathon: 2021 New York City Marathon
Best time: 3 hours, 59 minutes, 9 seconds
Carrying the same determination that made her a powerful advocate for public health, Chelsea Clinton tackled the 2021 New York City Marathon, finishing just under the four-hour mark at 3 hours, 59 minutes and 9 seconds. The daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, Chelsea has long been championing global health and education. She ran alongside Jenna Bush and used the marathon to support City Harvest, a nonprofit dedicated to fighting food insecurity.
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