Hollywood Stars Conquer the Marathon

Noteworthy public figures, among them Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Hart, have showcased impressive endurance by finishing full 26.2-mile marathon events.

Having observed the New York City Marathon from the sidelines, Reynolds was inspired to participate himself in 2008. Before his inaugural major run, he authored a piece for the Huffington Post, employing wit to elucidate his motivation for taking on the challenge.

“I engage in training every other day. I sprint intensely throughout the morning. No torment has been this impactful since the junior high school years,” he penned in November 2008. “Why would I deliberately undertake such an ordeal? It must be stated upfront: I am not an athlete in this field. I am, rather, a comical spectacle. Rising at 4:30 a.m. and covering distances of 11 to 23 miles has been absolutely dreadful.”

The performer known for Green Lantern went on to state: “While I’ve never experienced expelling a professional basketball player via a tear duct, I cannot conceive of a more unpleasant way to begin my morning. Of course, others face genuine difficulties. But I stray from the topic …”

Reynolds disclosed that he voluntarily committed to the race after encountering Michael J. Fox and witnessing his “profound resilience” directly. The performer from Canada, who raised funds for Parkinson's Disease research through his participation, shared that his father's battle with the illness further motivated him to undertake the marathon.

Conversely, former Bachelorette contestant Tayshia Adams opted to resume running during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, having sustained a pelvic injury in a college car accident that hindered her running capabilities. Her debut marathon took place in New York City in 2021.

Continue reading to discover which additional public figures have completed marathons or half marathons — and their respective finishing times: