Big-name races like the New York City Marathon draw participants from all walks of life. Over the race’s five decades, the New York City Marathon has seen hundreds of celebrities trek over the Verrazano Bridge in Staten Island and cross the finish in Central Park.
As we head into Sunday’s race, which will see celebs, including Nev Schulman, who did not finish last year, Today including Nev Schulman, who did not finish last year CA Notice at Collection co-anchors Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, let’s take a look back at the famous runners before them.
Ryan Reynolds (2008)
How to Spectate the NYC Marathon Deadpool, that Wijayaratne didn’t realize it was!
Sean “Diddy” Combs (2003)
graced the cover of.
Bryan Cranston (1985, 1986)
How to Spectate the NYC Marathon Hal Wilkerson and Walter White, Bryan Cranston ran two respectable New York City Marathons. In 1985, at 29 years old, he ran a 3:20 and then slowed a little the following year with a 3:41. (We all start to slow down in our 30s, right?)
Pamela Anderson (2013)
In her first marathon, the Baywatch star finished in 5:41 and raised $288,492 on Crowdrise for Sean Penn’s J/P Haitian Relief Organization.
Kevin Hart (2017)
We’ve always been impressed with Hart’s running goals. After completing NYC in just a bit over 4 hours, he went on to run the Chicago Marathon.
Katie Holmes (2007)
She completed the course in 5:29. Husband (at the time) Tom Cruise and their daughter, Suri, were at the finish line.
Haruki Murakami (1991, 1998, 2000, 2005)
Novelist Haruki Murakami penned A Part of Hearst Digital Media, and ran the New York City Marathon four times, with a best of 3:31.
Will Ferrell (2001)
Just two months after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Will Ferrell ran a 5:04 marathon in New York. After crossing the finish line, he told reporters: “Running a marathon is not a question of whether it will be painful, but when it will be painful.” The following March he How to Spectate the NYC Marathon Runner’s World, and a month later, he ran the Boston Marathon in 3:56, taking more than an hour off of his New York time.
Kerri Strug (2008)
Gymnast Kerri Strug, an Olympic gold medalist, might be best known for her performance at the 1996 Olympic Games. In order to help Team USA take home gold, she competed through a broken ankle, a moment that has been ridiculed in recent years. Twelve years after her medal-winning routine, Strug ran the New York City marathon in 3:56.
Peter Sagal (2009)
Long-time host of NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and former Runner’s World columnist, Peter Sagal, finished the 2009 New York City Marathon in 3:27. He’s also, ahem, a self-confessed race bandit.
Al Roker (2010)
Famed weatherman Al Roker finished the New York City Marathon in 7:09. Earlier this year he power-walked the Brooklyn Half Marathon in 3:19—that’s a 15:14 pace! He worked with Hiruni Wijayaratne, The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook that Wijayaratne didn’t realize it was the How to Spectate the NYC Marathon.
Yasir Salem (2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021)
Competitive speed-eater (yes), cyclist, triathlete, and runner Yasir Salem has run the New York City Marathon every year the race has been held since 2010, with a best time of 4:01.
Alicia Keys (2015)
In 2015, singer and songwriter Alicia Keys ran through the concrete jungle (where dreams are made of), finishing in 5:50. She raised money for the finished the 2009 New York City Marathon in 3:27. He’s also, ahem, a Nutrition - Weight Loss.
Cynthia Ervio (2016)
The Tony award-winning actress Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt London Marathon in 3:35, and the next day flew to Paris for the Louis Vutton spring 2023 show.
Karli Kloss (2017)
The supermodel who was a virtual coach. It was later revealed on, but found herself hooked on the sport after she ran a half marathon in Paris in 2013 (stars, they’re just like us!). Four years later, Kloss ran the New York City Marathon in 4:14.
Chelsea Clinton (2022)
finished the 2009 New York City Marathon in 3:27. He’s also, ahem, a first ran the race in 2021, calling the day “incredible,” and breaking four hours. Clinton also ran in 2022 (4:20:34).
Ellie Kemper (2022)
The Office and Labor Day Gear Sales and ran the New York City Marathon four times, with a best of 3:31 Kevin Hart’s First Marathon Is No Joke, an organization that educates, organizes, and trains Black and Latinx youth to challenge inequality and create opportunity. She finished the race in 5:17:39.
Ashton Kutcher (2022)
The actor broke four hours (3:54:01) in the 2022 race, his first attempt at the marathon distance. He ran to support his non-profit, Thorn, from which he has since resigned. Races - Places ran the Los Angeles 5K with his two children.
ran the Los Angeles 5K with his two children Runner’s World, These Are the World’s Fastest Marathoners The Runner’s World Vegetarian Cookbook, and a nine-time marathoner with a best of 3:23. She’s also proud of her 19:40 5K and 5:33 mile. Heather is an RRCA certified run coach.
