Running News Daily

Superstar Drummer Travis Barker is Finding New Rhythm with Running

After a near-fatal plane crash, the Blink-182 generational talent is redefining himself and the sport. We caught up with him (literally) during his 5K race in Queens.

It’s 8:15 A.M. in New York City and I’m racing through hoards of tattooed limbs, tip-dyed mohawks, cotton band T-shirts, and people attempting to stay upright while taking selfies.

Three minutes later, I reach a small group of runners struggling to keep up with Travis Barker, the legendary drummer for Blink-182. He’s hauling, a black bandana flapping under his cap, phone in one hand, cardboard box of water in the other.

It’s not a genre of running I ever thought would exist. But Barker’s run makes sense given a new craze taking root. Suddenly, running is social. It’s wellness. It’s cool. And I’m happy to add it to my playlist.

On July 21, I attended Run Travis Run, an event billed as a glimpse into Barker’s pre-show routine. Apparently his pre-show routine involves racing a 5K around the empty parking lot of Citi Field, the 42,000-person stadium in Queens where Blink-182 would be performing a sold-out show 12 hours later. Because that’s what we were doing as I sprinted to catch up to him.

It’s the second event of the new series led by Barker, 48, who began running consistently after a near-death airplane crash in 2008 that left 70 percent of his body covered in burns. He spent 11 weeks in hospitals and burn centers, undergoing 16 surgeries. Doctors told him he may never be able to walk or play the drums again.

In true punk fashion, Barker—who had never seriously played sports in his life—was determined to prove them wrong.

He started focusing on wellness and self-discovery. Running proved key in replacing his addictions to smoking and painkillers. He smirks while talking about how much he loves running, and it’s clear how he wants to inspire others to get into it, too.

Barker got three hours of sleep last night thanks to pre-race and pre-concert nerves: “Of course, I’m focusing on trying to sleep, so I get less and less of it because I’m so hyped up.” He calms himself down by listening to Tim Grover’s Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable. “That audiobook is like my Bible,” he says. I was listening to chapter 8 on the way here, which was talking about getting in the zone. He talks about coolers, closers, cleaners. I figured out I’m a cleaner. I don’t do it for a pat on the back or recognition, I do it for myself. I’m not in competition with anyone. It’s a fire within myself.”

Cleaners, according to Grover, don’t wait to be asked. They just do it.

Blink 182 and Kardashian star wants to run a marathon

The drummer of Blink 182, Travis Barker, has found a new passion and has lofty goals for the year ahead. On New Year’s Eve, the 48-year-old completed his first half-marathon in Santa Monica, Calif., and now he has his eyes set on 42.2 km at the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon on March 17.

Barker finished the half-marathon in 2:08:57, averaging a pace of six minutes and seven seconds per kilometre and placing 32nd overall out of 59 runners. Barker had family and friends at the race to cheer him on for his debut, including his wife, reality TV and fashion megastar Kourtney Kardashian.

Kardashian was seen sporting Barker’s finisher medal afterward. His first half-marathon capped off a big year for Barker. In November, the couple had their first child together, Rocky Thirteen.

“Ending 2023 with a bang,” the drummer captioned his post on Instagram. When asked about his next race, Barker revealed his plans to run the LA Marathon.

Barker’s training for the half did not go smoothly. The drummer said he had to halt his training due to an iliopsoas tendon strain a few weeks before the race. He posted that he knows the marathon won’t be easy, but he trusts the guidance he’s received from Stanford neuroscience professor Andrew Huberman and human performance professor Andy Galpin.

Now that the Kardashians are attending races and Taylor Swift is doing fartlek workouts has our sport officially reached its peak?

Having completed his first half-marathon, Travis Barker has caught the running bug and is now signed up for the Los Angeles Marathon

The drummer of Blink 182, Travis Barker, has found a new passion and has lofty goals for the year ahead. On New Year’s Eve, the 48-year-old completed his first half-marathon in Santa Monica, Calif., and now he has his eyes set on 42.2 km at the 2024 Los Angeles Marathon on March 17.

Barker finished the half-marathon in 2:08:57, averaging a pace of six minutes and seven seconds per kilometre and placing 32nd overall out of 59 runners. Barker had family and friends at the race to cheer him on for his debut, including his wife, reality TV and fashion megastar Kourtney Kardashian.

Kardashian was seen sporting Barker’s finisher medal afterward. His first half-marathon capped off a big year for Barker. In November, the couple had their first child together, Rocky Thirteen.

“Ending 2023 with a bang,” the drummer captioned his post on Instagram. When asked about his next race, Barker revealed his plans to run the LA Marathon.

Barker’s training for the half did not go smoothly. The drummer said he had to halt his training due to an iliopsoas tendon strain a few weeks before the race. He posted that he knows the marathon won’t be easy, but he trusts the guidance he’s received from Stanford neuroscience professor Andrew Huberman and human performance professor Andy Galpin.

Now that the Kardashians are attending races and Taylor Swift is doing fartlek workouts has our sport officially reached its peak?