Fastest Celebrity Marathon Times: The Stars Who Crushed 26.2 Miles
- Hashir Amir
- Feb 22
- 4 min read
For most people, running a marathon is a bucket-list achievement—a grueling 26.2-mile test of endurance that takes months (or years) to prepare for. But some celebrities have gone beyond simply finishing—they’ve run blazing fast times that rival serious amateur athletes.
From Hollywood actors to musicians, politicians to TV personalities, these famous faces have not only crossed the finish line but done so with times that would make many dedicated runners jealous.
Let’s take a look at the fastest celebrity marathon times and the stars who dominated the distance.
1. Paul Ryan – 2:57:57 (Grandma’s Marathon, 1990)
Former U.S. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan is one of the only celebrities to break the 3-hour marathon barrier. Running 2:57:57 at Grandma’s Marathon in Minnesota, he proved that even politicians can bring some serious speed.
Controversy Around His Time
Ryan originally misstated his marathon time, claiming he ran in the low 2:50s before the actual time was confirmed.
Despite the mix-up, a sub-3-hour marathon is an elite-level time, placing him in the top 2% of all marathon finishers worldwide.
Whether you agree with his politics or not, running 26.2 miles in under 3 hours is no joke.
2. Bryan Cranston – 3:20:45 (New York City Marathon, 1985)
Before he became famous as Walter White in Breaking Bad, Bryan Cranston was secretly a fast runner. In 1985, he ran the New York City Marathon in 3:20:45.
Running Highlights:
Cranston was an unknown actor at the time, running for personal achievement.
He later admitted he didn’t train much but relied on sheer determination to finish fast.
A sub-3:30 marathon? That’s Heisenberg-level endurance.
3. Natalie Morales – 3:31:02 (Boston Marathon, 2019)
NBC News anchor Natalie Morales is not just a respected journalist—she’s also a seriously fast marathoner. In 2019, she ran the Boston Marathon in 3:31:02, proving she has endurance both in and out of the newsroom.
Her Running Journey:
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