Running News Daily

Berlin, Germany – September 2025: Harry Styles has made history on the roads, trading concert stages for marathon streets. The global music icon stormed through the 2025 Berlin Marathon in 2:59:13, becoming the fastest major singer ever to run the 26.2-mile distance.

From Tokyo to Berlin: A Remarkable Leap

Earlier in March, Styles completed the Tokyo Marathon in 3:24:07. That debut alone was a respectable effort, but few expected the pop star to chop off nearly 25 minutes in just six months. His Berlin run showed not only improved conditioning but also a deep commitment to the craft of marathon training.

Breaking the Sub-3 Barrier

Crossing the finish line under three hours is an achievement that sets serious marathoners apart. Fewer than 5% of all marathoners reach this benchmark, placing Styles in the top tier of amateur competitors. His average pace of 6:50 per mile (4:15 per kilometer) required discipline and precision from start to finish.

Although he missed the Boston Marathon qualifying standard of 2:55:00 by just over four minutes, his Berlin time makes it clear he is edging closer to that goal.

Racing Under the Radar

To stay focused, Styles ran Berlin under the alias “Sted Sarandos.” While the disguise may have hidden him from the spotlight, it couldn’t mask his performance. Compared to Tokyo, he ran almost one minute faster per mile, maintaining an average speed of 8.77 mph (14.13 km/h) with consistent 21:14 5K splits.

A True Outlier

The contrast is striking: while the average male marathoner crossed the line in 4:21:03, Styles was already cooling down after achieving a personal milestone. His effort highlights what is possible when talent, dedication, and smart training align.

What’s Next?

With a sub-three-hour finish in his second marathon, Styles has firmly established himself as more than a hobby jogger. The question now is how far he can go—whether that means chasing a Boston qualifier, returning to Tokyo for redemption, or taking on another World Marathon Major.

For now, Harry Styles has earned a place not only in music history but also in the story of amateur marathoning: a performer who turned his passion into a performance of an entirely different kind.