Harry Styles again demonstrates he’s something more than a worldwide music sensation.
On Sunday, Sept. 21, the three-time Grammy-winning artist finished the Berlin Marathon in 2:59:13 – the first time he has dipped under three hours and beating his personal record for the marathon.
The 31-year-old singer kept up a stellar pace of 6:50 per mile through the 26.2-mile distance. His splits were also evenly paced, completing the first half in 1:29:08 and the second half in 1:30:06. Among the 80,000 runners who tied up for the race, Styles was notable both for his run and for his colorful appearance, sporting a blue shirt, black shorts, and pink sneakers.
Paralympic gold medalist Richard Whitehead even posted a congratulatory Instagram message alongside Styles from the marathon, captioning it with a joke: “2.58 in Berlin with my mate!! Anyone know him!! ????.” The friendship only served to show the ways in which Styles still manages to surprise fellow athletes and fans alike with his long-distance running commitment.
The Berlin Marathon is one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, with a flat, fast route where records get broken on a regular basis. Eight men’s and five women’s world marathon records have been broken in Berlin, and it is thus an ideal location for professional and amateur athletes seeking personal bests. Styles glided past some of Germany’s most recognizable landmarks while on his way to competition, including the German parliament building, the Victory Column, Potsdamer Platz, and the Brandenburg Gate, while maintaining a consistent pace.
This is not the singer’s first big marathon. Back in March, Styles ran in the Tokyo Marathon, another World Marathon Major, and finished the marathon in less than three-and-a-half hours. Fans attending the event posted videos of the singer in all-black running attire and bold yellow Nike racers, grinning and waving to their applause as he pushed his way through the course among 20,000 runners.
His Berlin success is a notable upgrade from Tokyo, mirroring the intense training and concentration Styles has put into running in addition to his music. For many fans, watching the “Watermelon Sugar” and “Cinema” songstress achieve such sporting heights highlights his all-around abilities above and beyond the stage.
Styles is also part of a list of increasing celebrities who have completed marathons. Actor Colin Farrell completed the Brisbane Marathon in 3:53:14 in 2021. Jennifer Connelly and Chelsea Clinton participated in the 2024 New York City Marathon, each achieving results of 3:45:47 and 3:45:51, respectively. Styles’ sub-three-hour finish of the Berlin marathon puts him in particularly select company among celebrity marathons.
With two World Marathon Majors to his credit within the same calendar year and his performance getting better, fans are already asking if Styles will keep challenging more of the top-notch races – possibly aiming for the entire collection of six Majors. For now, however, his Berlin win solidifies him not only as a music sensation but also as a committed and successful sportsperson.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
