Pop superstar Harry Styles surprised fans worldwide by completing the Berlin Marathon on Sunday under the alias "Sted Sarandos." The former One Direction member finished the grueling 26.2-mile race in an impressive 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds, significantly improving upon his previous marathon time of 3:24:07 achieved at the 2025 Tokyo Marathon. His 2,241st overall placement and 524th position in the over-30 age group is a testament to his dedication and athleticism. Sporting a headband and sunglasses to maintain a low profile, Styles even managed to capture a post-race photo with Paralympic gold medalist Richard Whitehead, who completed the marathon just ahead of him.
This athletic achievement adds another layer to the multifaceted career of the 31-year-old singer. While Styles is globally renowned for his musical success, with his album "Harry's House" winning multiple Grammy Awards including Album of the Year, his participation in the Berlin Marathon highlights a different side of his personality – a competitive spirit and dedication to physical endurance. The marathon saw a total of 55,000 participants, with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe securing first place. Akira Akasaki of Japan finished in second position.
Styles' participation remained undisclosed until confirmed by organizers to the German newspaper Tagesspiegel, further adding to the intrigue surrounding his surprising marathon run. This unexpected athletic feat has only amplified the already immense global interest in the singer's endeavors, blurring the lines between musical icon and accomplished athlete.
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Originally published at: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6650859/2025/09/22/harry-styles-berlin-marathon/
