A hidden milestone on the streets of Berlin
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe may have captured the headlines as the men’s winner of the 2025 BMW Berlin Marathon, but another runner further back in the pack quietly achieved a personal milestone. Singer and actor Harry Styles completed the marathon in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds, breaking the coveted three-hour barrier for the first time. For many amateur runners, finishing under three hours is considered a benchmark of elite endurance.
Running incognito as “Sted Sarandos”
To keep his participation low-profile, the 31-year-old former One Direction star registered under the pseudonym Sted Sarandos, a name curiously close to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos. Dressed in a grey headband and sunglasses, Styles blended in among the more than 50,000 participants on Berlin’s famously fast and flat course.
Local newspaper Der Tagesspiegel was the first to report his appearance.
A big improvement from Tokyo
Styles shaved nearly 25 minutes off his previous marathon performance. Earlier in March 2025, he ran the Tokyo Marathon in 3:24:07. His Berlin result not only marks a dramatic improvement but also solidifies his dedication to long-distance running.
With back-to-back majors under his belt, speculation is already swirling about where Styles might race next, whether in another World Marathon Major like New York, Boston, or London.
Who won the Berlin Marathon 2025?
While Styles’ performance has drawn attention from fans and the running world alike, the Berlin spotlight ultimately belonged to Kenya’s dominant runners.
- Men’s winner: Sabastian Sawe (KEN) – 2:02:16
- Women’s winner: Rosemary Wanjiru (KEN) – 2:21:05
Both victories continued Kenya’s rich tradition of marathon excellence, reinforcing Berlin’s reputation as the world’s fastest marathon course.
Why does Styles’ run matter?
For celebrities, completing marathons is nothing new—think Will Ferrell, Oprah Winfrey, or Ryan Reynolds. But Styles’ sub-three-hour time puts him in a different category. Less than 5% of marathoners ever achieve that mark, according to global race data.
It also highlights a growing trend of high-profile figures embracing endurance sports not just for charity or spectacle, but for genuine performance. Styles’ achievement adds a new dimension to his public persona—one of grit, discipline, and athletic seriousness.
What’s next for Harry Styles the runner?
Having conquered Tokyo and Berlin, Styles may continue the pursuit of completing all six World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York). If he keeps improving at this pace, future sub-2:55 or even sub-2:50 times could be within reach.
For now, fans can celebrate a pop icon who’s not just topping music charts but also hitting milestones on the road.
