Harry Styles runs Berlin Marathon in 2:59:13, under 3 hours

TL;DR:
- Harry Styles ran the Berlin Marathon on September 21, 2025.
- He finished in 2:59:13, a sub-3 hour time.
- He registered under the name “Sted Sarandos.”
- He was photographed with Paralympian Richard Whitehead after the race.
- What this says about his fitness, schedule, and fan buzz.
On Sunday, September 21, 2025, Harry Styles ran the Berlin Marathon and crossed the line in 2 hours, 59 minutes, 13 seconds. Associated Press reported the time and noted he raced under a pseudonym, “Sted Sarandos,” to keep a low profile among tens of thousands of runners. ABC News confirmed the sub-3 finish and the race date. The Guardian also reported the time and the alias.
Berlin is known for a flat, fast course. Many elite runners set records here. It is also a favorite for serious amateurs chasing personal bests. A sub-3 hour marathon is a clear benchmark for non-pros. Styles, who is 31, hit that mark with less than a minute to spare. That shows strong aerobic fitness, steady pacing, and months of work.
When and where
The race took place in Berlin, Germany, on September 21, 2025. Weather was mild, roads were closed, and support was strong along the route. Large city marathons like Berlin offer long straights and few sharp turns. This helps runners lock into pace.
Who and the finish details
Styles finished in 2:59:13. People and ABC News noted an average pace near 6:50 per mile. That is about 4:15 per kilometer. AP said he ran under “Sted Sarandos.” Reports and images placed him at the finish with British Paralympic legend Richard Whitehead, who is running a series of marathons in 2025 for charity. The finish photo spread fast on social media after Whitehead posted it.
How he likely trained
No official plan is public. Still, a sub-3 time suggests a base of 50 to 70 kilometers per week for many weeks. It often includes one long run, one tempo run, and light speed work. Runners also stack easy miles to build endurance. Berlin rewards even pacing. People reported his splits were consistent, near a 1:29 first half and a 1:30 second half. That shows he did not start too fast.
A simple sub-3 style build, for context
This is not Styles’s plan, but it shows what many serious amateurs do.
- Base, 8 to 12 weeks: easy miles 4 to 6 days a week.
- Long run, weekly: build to 28 to 32 km at relaxed pace.
- Tempo day: 20 to 40 minutes near marathon pace.
- Light intervals: short repeats at 5 to 10K pace, full recovery.
- Cutback weeks: reduce volume every 3 to 4 weeks.
- Taper, last 2 to 3 weeks: drop volume, keep a few strides.
Strength, sleep, and fueling matter. So do shoes that match your stride, and a race-day plan that includes gels and fluids.
Why Berlin matters for his career arc
Styles ended Love On Tour in 2023 and has kept most plans quiet. Public training and race results show he values routine and discipline. That supports long studio days and tour stamina. A sub-3 also hints at good time management if he moves toward a new album cycle or a set of special shows. Fans follow these signals. Fitness can shape set lists, show length, and travel choices.
The alias and privacy
Using an alias is common for public figures at mass events. It helps them avoid crowd surges at start pens and finish chutes. AP and The Guardian both reported the “Sted Sarandos” entry. That choice let him focus on hitting pace and staying safe.
The broader trend
More artists use endurance events as structure between album cycles. It gives a mental reset and clear goals. It also offers a way to support causes. Whitehead’s project, which he shared on Instagram, brought more attention to charity running tied to major city marathons. When stars run, sign-ups and donations often rise the next year. Berlin, with its history of records, has become a marquee date for that effect.
What it means for fans
Short term, the finish does not confirm new music or a tour. It does show he is in peak condition. If he chooses to tour in 2026, that fitness base helps. If he spends time in the studio, the same habits support long, focused work. Rumors about a Las Vegas Sphere run surfaced in March. Billboard reported that venue reps denied any plan. The official website lists no new dates today. Treat tour talk as rumor until posted by his channels.
What happens next
Major marathons come in a series. Tokyo runs in March, London in April, Berlin in September, Chicago in October, New York in November. He ran Tokyo earlier this year, so a fall race fits the pattern. If he enjoys Berlin’s setup, he could return, or he could try Chicago for variety. Any public schedule change will land first on his official site or social feeds.
Quick reference: what a 2:59:13 marathon means
Metric | Value |
Average pace per mile | ~6:50 |
Average pace per kilometer | ~4:15 |
First half target split | ~1:29 |
Second half target split | ~1:30 |
Estimated weekly volume to chase sub-3 | 50–70 km for many weeks |
Key skills | even pacing, fueling, patience |
Note: Values are estimates, based on common training for serious amateurs, not Styles’s personal plan.
Background for new readers
Harry Styles is an English singer and songwriter. He rose to fame with One Direction, then launched a solo career. His albums include “Harry Styles” in 2017, “Fine Line” in 2019, and “Harry’s House” in 2022. He toured widely in 2022 and 2023. He has kept a lower profile in 2024 and 2025, with rare public steps. Running, often with friends or clubs, has been one of those steps.
Why it matters
A sub-3 in a major marathon is rare for non-pros. It proves he can plan, focus, and finish hard goals. For fans, that points to strong live shows when he returns. For brands and events, it shows his reach outside music. For the charity world, it brings more eyes to fundraising linked to big city races.
Sources:
- Associated Press, Harry Styles runs Berlin Marathon in under 3 hours, https://apnews.com/article/1594469e884bc6550d86130517e15d3c, September 22, 2025.
- ABC News, Harry Styles runs Berlin Marathon, finishes in under 3 hours, https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Wellness/harry-styles-runs-berlin-marathon-finishes-3-hours/story, September 21, 2025.
- The Guardian, Harry Styles swaps microphone for trainers to run sub three hours, https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/22/harry-styles-berlin-marathon, September 22, 2025.
- Billboard, Harry Styles is not planning a Sphere residency, https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/harry-styles-las-vegas-residency-sphere-rumors-not-true-1235921046/, March 13, 2025.
- Official site, Harry Styles, https://www.hstyles.co.uk/, accessed September 22, 2025.