From Stadiums to Streets: Sports Stars Who Took on the Challenge of a Marathon

Many athletes push their limits on the stadiums, showing their ability to handle explosive bursts of energy before scoring a goal. However, there is a difference between taking part in a 90-minute football match and a 5-hour marathon. To take the challenge even further, many stars choose to run in reputable races such as the NYC, London, or Boston City Marathons.

Taking part in these types of events shows endurance and the ability to handle even the toughest of matches. Many fans use this information on a betting site, especially when athletes from sports like football or basketball take part in famous marathons. Some even make bets on the marathon itself. Whether you are looking to capitalize on a runner’s energy levels or simply wish to learn history, here are some reputable sports stars who took on the challenge.

Soccer Stars on the Marathon Track

Many soccer stars join marathons for obvious reasons: to raise money and awareness for important causes. However, running in these endurance contests also helps improve their cardiovascular health over time. Many retired soccer players use these races to maintain their fitness levels. Below are some popular names to join a street marathon:

1.      Luis Enrique

Louis Enrique is a former Barcelona and Spain football star who took up running marathons after retiring from football. He is regarded as one of the fastest runners in these events, recording an impressive 2:58:01 at the Florence Marathon in 2007.

Aside from that, he took part in other notable events such as the New York Marathon (2005) and Amsterdam Marathon (2006). In 2008, he undertook an ambitious yet grueling 6-day marathon (Marathon des Sables), where he carried his supplies across more than 250km of desert.

2.     Pavel Nedvěd

After honing his stamina as a Juventus and Czech Republic midfielder, Pavel Nedvěd retired from professional football in 2009 and switched to long-distance running. He became an avid runner, showing the same relentless work ethic in marathons that earned him the nickname “Czech Fury.”

He participated in the Prague Half Marathon in 2010, but his best time came at the 2012 Prague Marathon. He completed the run at an impressive 03:50:01.

3.     Edwin van der Sar

The Dutch legend Edwin van der Sar is one of the many Premier League players to pick up marathon running after retiring. That said, he is also the one who brought some of the biggest surprises.

Goalkeepers are rarely known for their running mileage, but he ran the 2011 NYC Marathon to support a UK-based brain injury charity. He completed the 26.2-mile course in 4:19:16.

American Football Stars on the Marathon Tracks

Many NFL icons have faster-twitching muscle mass, which contrasts with the slow-twitch fiber of a marathon runner. For this reason, they hit the marathons after retiring to fill a competitive void. Below are some names that successfully proved their ability:

1.      Tiki Barber

Tiki Barber retired from the NFL in 2006, after playing 10 seasons with the New York Giants. However, after 8 years, Barber decided he would pick up the life of an athlete once more and start running.

He ran the New York City Marathon for the first time in 2014, finishing in 5:14:37. He continued to run in 2015 and 2016, but also took part in some smaller races. By 2020, Barber had joined and completed more than 15 marathons.

2.     Tedy Bruschi

After surviving a stroke in 2005 that nearly ended his career, Tedy Bruschi got back on his feet 8 months later and continued to play linebacker for the New England Patriots. He eventually felt fulfilled enough to retire after four seasons, running his first Boston Marathon in 2012.

He took part in these events year after year, with his 2014 participation aimed at raising awareness for stroke survivors. After several smaller marathons, he completed his third (and final) Boston Marathon in 4:33:35.

3.     Lynn Swann

Lynn Swann is one of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ most famous wide receivers, even making it to the Hall of Fame thanks to his skill. However, while most know him for his career in the NFL, he also gained fame after finishing the 1993 New York City Marathon.

Swann was 41 years old and had already retired for 11 years, but he finished the marathon in 4:26:41. He ran to promote exercise as a necessary lifestyle adjustment, as obesity rates were rising.

Basketball Giants Going for the Medal

Many basketball players run short marathons in the off-season and longer marathons after retiring, as a way to stay in shape. Below are several stars who traded the courts for the street.

1.      Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain made a reputation as an NBA player, playing for 14 seasons between 1959 and 1973. However, even after winning two NBA titles and holding 79 NBA records, he did not completely leave the competitive world upon retiring.

He began running long-distance marathons in the late 70s and 80s, competing in the 50-mile race in Canada and other short-distance running events. However, his greatest challenge was the Honolulu Marathon in 1999. Despite being 66 and in poor health, he finished the marathon, although no time was recorded.

2.     Chris Herren

The former Boston Celtics player remained active after retiring, taking part in numerous marathons to support the Herren Project. The former NBA player used running as a pillar to support his recovery from addiction, and wanted to raise awareness about the struggles of reaching sobriety.

Herren entered multiple shorter-distance runs and marathons, but his most notable challenges occurred during the Boston Marathon. His first interaction with the event was in 2014, which he completed in 6:00:17 despite a nagging injury to his foot. He joined the marathon once more in 2026, which he completed in 5:12:13.

3.     Chris Bosh

The former NBA All-Star has always been a vocal supporter of the marathon community, taking part in California’s Big Sur International Marathon in 2024. Despite reaching the age of 40, he finished the 8-miler in 2:47:10.

His participation aimed to raise funds for the “Every Mother Counts” charity, which supported pregnant women. He also used it to promote running culture as a way to stay healthy when you cannot perform other sports due to medical issues.

Other Sports Stars that Took the Challenge

Footballers and basketballers are generally the first to hit the marathon tracks, but other star players take this route to raise awareness and stay in shape. This includes the following:

1.      Alastair Cook

Former English cricket captain, Sir Alastair Cook, retired from international cricket in 2018. Despite being only 33, Cook decided to end his career on his own terms, as he felt he “lost the fire” to play cricket. However, he would maintain an active lifestyle, culminating in the London Marathon in 2026.

Cook described his experience in the event as “tougher than cricket,” since there was nowhere he could hide. While he had participated in the marathon before, he successfully finished it this time in 4:05:15. He used the event to raise funds for the Ruth Strauss Foundation.

2.     Zdeno Chára

Very few are as active during the marathon season as Zdeno Chára, as he shocked the world by joining two back-to-back major marathons. Chára has previously taken part in the Boston Marathon, but finished the 2026 run in only 3:38:23.

Chára did not stop there, as only 6 days later, he took on the London Marathon. He finished it in 3:11:04, showing significant endurance while breaking his personal record. His goal was to complete the “Six Star” World Marathon Majors and prove to himself that he had the skill to do so.

3.     Caroline Wozniacki

Caroline Wozniacki is one of the few athletes who entered the world of marathons while still actively playing professional tennis. Despite concerns that a marathon could cause unnecessary risks, she joined the New York City Marathon in 2014 to raise money for “Team for Kids.”

With a pace of 8 minutes per mile, she finished the marathon in 3:26:33, only a week after taking part in the WTA Tour Finals in Singapore. She admitted to minimal long-distance training, with her longest run only spanning 13 miles.

4.    Scott Stallings

Golfer Scott Stallings is known as one of the fittest professionals on the PGA Tour, with running taking a good part of his training. Even after poor rounds, he would engage in “angry runs” to blow off steam. However, in 2025, he officially ran the Boston Marathon, covering 26.2 miles.

Stallings was rehabbing from a left shoulder and elbow injury that sidelined him from the tour. The marathon was an opportunity for him to stay fit. He finished the race in 4:10:19, raising money for “Golf Fights Cancer.”

Marathons are good equalizers for former players who want to stay fit, but also current players seeking to test their limits. These stars proved they still have the grit to push through, despite competing in a different sport.

Last Updated on 7 May 2026 by the5krunner