Harry Styles Runs Berlin Marathon in Under Three Hours, Proving He's More Than Just a Pop Star

Harry Styles has once again surprised fans, this time by trading the concert stage for the marathon track. The 31-year-old singer completed the Berlin Marathon this past weekend in an impressive 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds, achieving the coveted sub-three-hour mark that many dedicated runners spend years trying to reach.

In typical Styles fashion, the former One Direction member attempted to keep a low profile during the race. He registered under the pseudonym "Sted Sarandos," a playful twist on Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos' name, and wore a headband and sunglasses while running alongside approximately 55,000 other participants. Despite his efforts at anonymity, marathon organizers confirmed his participation after local German newspaper Der Tagesspiegel first reported his presence among the runners.

The Berlin Marathon represents one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors and is renowned for being one of the flattest and fastest courses in the world. Runners pass iconic German landmarks including the Victory Column, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg Gate. Styles' performance is particularly noteworthy as it represents a significant personal best for the singer. He previously ran the Tokyo Marathon in March, completing that course in just under three-and-a-half hours. His Berlin time shaves off more than 30 minutes from his Tokyo performance.

Runner's World has acknowledged Styles' Berlin time as the fastest marathon completion by any celebrity, surpassing other notable star athletes including Colin Farrell, who clocked 3:53:14 at the 2021 Brisbane Marathon, Jennifer Connelly with her 3:45:47 at the 2024 New York City Marathon, and former Bachelor Matt James, who finished in 3:00:41 at the 2024 London Marathon.

Paralympic athlete and gold medalist Richard Whitehead shared a photo with Styles on Instagram after the race, jokingly writing "2.58 in Berlin with my mate" and adding "Anyone know him!!" with a laughing emoji, highlighting the singer's successful attempt at maintaining a low profile during the event.

But how did Styles prepare for such an impressive athletic feat? According to experts at Northeastern University, his years of high-energy stage performances may have provided an unexpected advantage. Styles is famous for his dynamic concerts, particularly during his nearly two-year-long Love On tour, where he constantly moved and danced while singing.

David Nolan, an associate clinical professor of physical therapy at Northeastern, noted that performers like Styles develop tremendous cardiovascular fitness through their shows, creating a strong foundation for endurance activities. However, Rui Li, an associate clinical professor of exercise science, explained that while stage performance provides excellent cardiopulmonary benefits, it doesn't directly translate to marathon readiness. Dancing requires coordination of muscles in bursts and engages diverse muscle groups, whereas marathon running demands sustained energy output and large muscle movements in specific areas. The mental challenge is also different, as marathons require constant focus and drive through what can be a monotonous experience, unlike the varied stimulation of a stage performance.

While fans eagerly await news of Styles' fourth studio album following the massive success of 2022's Harry's House, which won Grammy Awards for Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, it's clear the singer is keeping himself busy with pursuits beyond music. His dedication to marathon running demonstrates yet another dimension of this multifaceted artist's talents and determination.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI