Are You Faster Than These Celebs at This Year’s Boston Marathon?
See how your own PR stacks up.
Once again, Marathon Monday did not disappoint for the nearly 30,000 runners taking on Heartbreak Hill. Same held true for the celebrities that took on the course, too. Want to know how they finished—and if your PR could beat them? Read on to find out how they stacked up.
[For limited-edition Boston Marathon gear that may sell out before your next run, check out the Runner’s World Shop.]
Joan Benoit Samuelson
Finish time: 3:04
Gold medal marathoner Joan Benoit Samuelson made history 40 years ago with a 2:35:15 finish, enough to win Boston and break the course record. This year, to celebrate the 40th anniversary, she planned to run within 40 minutes of her record-breaking time. She crushed that goal, finishing within 30 minutes of that time.
Jimmie Johnson
Finish time: 3:09:07
NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson, an avid triathlete and cyclist, took on Boston as his first marathon. He has completed many half marathons, though, and recently placed 15th in the Daytona Beach Half Marathon in 1:34:18.
This year, this NASCAR schedule finally allowed this seasoned vet to complete his dream of running Boston.
The Cast of “Supernatural”
Finish time (Jared Padalecki): 4:32:24
Finish time (Genevieve Padalecki): 3:36:59
Jared and Genevieve Padalecki, the husband and wife team who are both known for their roles onSupernatural, ran Boston for their charity. They were raising money for Dream Big!, which provides opportunities for young girls to participate in sports.
And they are no strangers to the marathon circuit. Last fall, Jared ran the Seattle Marathon with other Supernatural cast members to raise money for Random Acts’ Endure 4 Kindness, and Gen ran the half.
Tedy Bruschi
Finish time: 4:35:35
Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi was back for his third Boston marathon. He ran with his foundation, Tedy’s Team, which raises awareness for stroke. He finished Boston in both 2012 (5:26:02) and 2014 (4:47:45).
Shawn Johnson East and Andrew East
Finish time (Andrew East): 4:43:05
BAA 5K finish time (Shawn Johnson East): 31:54
Olympic gold medal gymnast Shawn Johnson East and her husband, NFL player Andrew East, planned on taking on Boston together for their first marathon, but after announcingthey are going to be parents, Shawn decided she would run the BAA 5K, and cheer her husband on for the marathon.
Leading up to the race they documented their, er, unique, training on Instagram. It also happens to be their third anniversary the next day, so here’s to a speedy recovery after 26.2 for Andrew.
Palak Patel
Finish time: 4:59:42
Chef Palak Patel, who has won both Chopped and Beat Bobby Flay, is trading in her apron for a Boston bib for her first-ever marathon.
Adrianne Haslet
BAA 5K finish time: 32:30
Adrianne Haslet, a survivor who lost her left leg in the 2013 Boston Marathon finish line bombings had been training to run this year’s marathon, but she was struck by a car while in a crosswalk in January. She persevered, and ran the BAA 5K, her first race back.
“This is way more than 3.1 miles. This is 98 days in the making,” Haslet said as she put on her medal. “I wanted to run this race so badly. I may have walked, but I never gave up.”
2026 Boston Marathon Registration FAQs
John Korir Does Step Aerobics, and So Should You
Boston Marathon: New Net-Downhill Course Procedure
The Best Downhill Marathons for Boston Qualifying
