Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes and 20 Other Celebrities Who Run
The following celebs aren't just running from the paparazzi; they've made running part of their daily health routine. Read on to find out which actors, singers and TV personalities hit the pavement to stay in shape.
Overview
There are a lot of fads in the fitness world, but running never goes out of style. And one of the great things about running is that pretty much anyone can run, regardless of age, income or celebrity status. The following celebs aren't just running from the paparazzi; they've made running part of their health routine. Read on to find out which actors, singers and TV personalities hit the pavement to stay in shape, keep their cool and even raise money for charity. You might be surprised to find out the ones who can count the New York City Marathon as one of their accomplishments.
1. Chip Gaines
HGTV's Fixer Upper host Chip Gaines might not be the first celeb you think of when you think of runner, but that's about to change. While walking through Central Park in New York City, Gaines met professional runner Gabriele Grunewald with her husband, Justin. Grunewald agreed to coach him, hoping to start with a mile or 5K race, but Gaines went all in and is currently training for the inaugural Silo District Marathon in Waco, Texas. Inspired by Grunewald's battle with a rare form of cancer, all proceeds from the race will go to rare cancer research.
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2. Ellie Goulding
Music isn't the only thing Goulding is passionate about. She's been running since she was 18, and in the past few years, she's collaborated with Nike on a running clothing line and Spotify for running playlists. As someone who regularly runs five to six miles, in 2013, in the middle of her "Halcyon Days" tour, she ran in Washington D.C. Nike Women's Half-Marathon. She finished in an impressive 1:41:33. But it doesn't come easily. She told Competitor magazine, "It's taken a lot of motivation. It's really the toughest thing I've done."
3. Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell may make you laugh on TV and in the movies, but when it comes to running, this man is all business. "It really does improve my energy level. I feel different. I feel better," he told USA Today. "And I just love having that part of the day, where you're going on a run and you don't have phone calls or mail to answer." One of his biggest running accomplishments was finishing the Boston Marathon (arguably the world's greatest marathon) in 3:56:12.
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4. Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon has been spotted on morning runs around her Los Angeles neighborhood by the paparazzi, oftentimes with her husband Jim Toth. Perhaps the couple that runs together stays together! She's also been spotted out running with her two children, Ava and Deacon, and fellow celebs like Nicole Kidman. Clearly, this gal knows the power of finding a running buddy!
5. Sean "Diddy" Combs
The man formerly known as Puff Daddy and P. Diddy (he currently prefers to be referred to as Diddy) ran the New York City marathon in 2009, using his love of running to raise $2 million for charity. "Never in my life have I ever experienced anything as crazy as this," he said in a press conference, reported by CBS News. "It was a beautiful experience." The music and fashion mogul's official time was 4:14:54. The money he raised went to support educational charities.
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6. Julie Bowen
As a mom of three, "Modern Family" star Julie Bowen is always on her toes. But still she loves to run. "I consider a day without running a crappy day. When I don't get to run, I am a grump," she told Runner's World magazine. "Nobody wants to be around me. Cranky! Everything looks bad, my children seem too loud, and my job seems like fun, but not as much fun. Like, I love my job, but suddenly my pants aren't fitting right and everything just seems wrong."
7. Josh Duhamel
Josh Duhamel stays in such incredible shape by running. After Japan's earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, he even headed up a two-mile charity run in Santa Monica, Calif., to raise money for the victims. And in 2015, following the earthquake in Nepal, he organized another run, this time for the Nepal Red Cross Society and US Doctors for Africa.
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8. Renee Zellweger
Renee Zellweger uses running to keep herself sane while maintaining a hectic work schedule. "It's my private time," she told Extra. "It's my down time. It's my outlet, my therapy. I'm a runner." Zellweger tries to squeeze in three miles on the treadmill every day, reportedly occupying herself by catching up on TV, largely CNN. She refers to running as her therapy. She also credits running with helping her lose the weight in between Bridget Jones movies, for which she gained around 40 pounds.
9. Joey Fatone
Former *NSYNC member Joey Fatone used to get his workouts in performing before thousands of screaming fans each night, but he's traded in his dancing shoes for running shoes. Joey became very involved with runDisney, participating in several of their races, including the Dumbo Double Dare. "I wasn't training to run a marathon," he told People magazine. "I just wanted to start working out. I wanted to build more muscle and upper body strength. I have no definition in my chest! So that's how I started. Then I decided, 'Let's see how far I can run.' And it went from there."
10. Katie Holmes
In 2010, Actress Katie Holmes ran the New York City Marathon after training with celebrity coach Wes Okerson. Okerson told Shape magazine, "When you prepare for a marathon, it's mainly about building up mileage to a point where your body — and mind — can handle 26 miles. After a couple months of increasing your mileage, I recommend doing two short runs (4 to 5 miles), two intermediate runs (6 to 8 miles) and one long run (10 to eventually 18 miles) per week. Completing 40 to 50 miles a week puts you on track."
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11. Drew Carey
"The Price Is Right" host Drew Carey rekindled his love of running to improve his health. "When I was in the Marine Corps, I did a training run — 14 miles — but that was when I was 24ish," he told Competitor.com in 2011 before his first half marathon. "I haven't been running in all these years. I just started again with the weight loss. Last year, I was doing mostly the elliptical machine, but I wanted something more. I have to have a reason to work out — it wasn't enough for me just to keep my weight down."
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12. Teri Hatcher
The actress may be 53, but that doesn't mean she plans on slowing down any time soon. In 2014, she ran the New York City Marathon to raise funds for Sean Penn's J/P Haitian Relief Organization. That year, she also competed in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon (which she also completed in 2009). "Almost every other day I run, and I'm running between six and 11 miles," she told LIVESTRONG.COM. "I run in my neighborhood and other places in Malibu by the beach. By Disney Studios there's a path that runs along the L.A. River Wash that goes 20 miles."
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13. Geoff Stults
Geoff Stults is a runner and a regular on the Nautica Triathlon circuit, competing with fellow celebs such as James Marsden, Parker Young and Josh Hopkins. Nautica Triathlon's Classic Distance Race is held annually involving a half-mile ocean swim, 19-mile bike ride ride, and four-mile run. In 2012, the actor won the celebrity male division of the competition.
14. Pamela Anderson
She may have done a ton of running through the waves while shooting Baywatch, but nothing could have prepared the actress for running the 2013 New York City Marathon. After the race, she posted a photo of herself to Twitter showcasing her recovery strategy (hint: it involved LOTS of ice packs and a foam roller). In an interview with Ellen Degeneres she said, "Yeah, I finished, it was hard. Those last five miles. It was like giving birth and then being told to run as you're giving birth. It was so much pain in my hips."
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15. Mario Lopez
Add Mario Lopez to the growing list of celebs who has conquered the New York City Marathon. "Running has become therapeutic for me. I can clear my mind and I can just go through my day and have a lot of clarity," he told ESPN.com's Page 2. Since then, he's run other races, including the Rock 'N' Roll Las Vegas Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, where he was photographed with running legend and Olympian Meb Keflezighi.
16. Al Roker
When Al Roker made the decision to lose weight for his overall health, he took up running, but it didn't come easily. "I know I need to exercise," he told US News & World Report. "For some people, exercise is like breathing; for others, like me, it takes effort. Exercising is what I need for my metabolism and for a better sense of well-being." He conquered the New York City Marathon in 2010 and the Chicago Half Marathon in 2011.
17. Gordon Ramsay
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay works off those delicious meals he makes with a running regimen. In the past he has participated in the Flora London Marathon, completing it in just 3 hours and 45 minutes. He also completed a triathlon held in Henderson, Nev. But running isn't his only athletic passion. According to his official website, Ramsay was an aspiring football player until an injury dashed his hopes of going pro.
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18. Heidi Klum
Supermodel Heidi Klum keeps that killer figure by running, and she's hit the pavement with a variety of celebs, like Brooklyn Decker. "It was amazing. I had to keep up with her. She is a better runner than me," Klum told Celebuzz.com. In 2011 Klum posted a Summer Run series on her website in an effort to encourage other women to team up with friends and focus on their fitness. One of her celebrity running partners for the blog was none other than Victoria's Secret model Miranda Kerr.
19. Sean Astin
Sean Astin remembers the day he became a runner. "I was about 14, and my friend's stepdad asked me to do a 10K with him because his son — who was more into basketball — didn't want to," Astin told The Los Angeles Times. "It was amazing, and I still remember the time I got: 48:23." Astin regularly participates in races with runDisney and has completed the Los Angeles Marathon three times. He also created #run3rd as "an inspirational Twitter campaign, a global movement sharing dedications made on behalf of people's loved ones, causes and ideas."
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20. Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds surprised himself by going through the paces of the New York City Marathon in 2008. A meeting with one special celebrity made him go for it. "A year and a half ago, I had the privilege of meeting Mr. Michael J. Fox," the actor wrote in a piece for HuffingtonPost.com. "Like so many before me, I found it impossible not to be touched by his story of overwhelming strength, passion and relentless commitment to help those afflicted with [Parkinson's Disease]. The man is inspiration exemplified. Plus, he was in 'Back to the Future,' which was, well, awesome. In a moment of extremely poor judgment, I offered to do something big for him — I offered to compete in the New York City Marathon."
21. Alanis Morissette
Alanis Morissette says running gives her focus. "Running has made being depressed impossible," she told Runner's World. "If I'm going through something emotional and just go outside for a run, you can rest assured I'll come back with clarity." In order to get fit for marathons, Morissette tells the magazine she also does cross-training, kickboxing, Capoeira and kite surfing. The musician decided to do her first marathon in 2010 on behalf of the National Eating Disorders Association, saying, "I think there is no better way to invite a human being to view their body differently than by inviting them to be an athlete."
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22. Anna Paquin
True Blood's Anna Paquin has been spotted on many runs around her Venice, Calif., neighborhood. The mother of twins pushed a jogging stroller to keep her babies on board. "Working out is about stamina," Paquin told Self magazine. "I'm physically challenged on set. I love that Sookie [her True Blood character] isn't a teeny, tiny damsel in distress. She's a tough, fit, kick-ass Southern girl who is equally as comfortable in a pretty floral print dress as she is beating the crap out of somebody."
What Do YOU Think?
Do you run? How many miles per week do you aim for? Have you run a 5k, 10k, half marathon or marathon? What motivates you? Do any of these celebrity runners inspire you? Do you have similar reasons for hitting the pavement? Did we miss your favorite celebrity runner? Let us know by leaving a comment below!