Former Bachelor star runs 40-minute personal best at New York City Marathon
The star of Season 25 of The Bachelor, Matt James, improved his NYC finishing time from last year by 40 minutes, finishing second among celebrities
Photo by:
Kevin Morris
Each year, the TCS New York City Marathon attracts a wide array of celebrity participants, whether they’re running to support a charitable cause, seasoned veterans of the race, or seeking a fresh challenge—this year’s marathon had it all.
Let’s take a look at how the top celebrities fared in the Big Apple.
Casey Neistat (3:01:27)
being the ‘fastest celebrity’ is like being the smartest cat. but i’ll still take it. pic.twitter.com/v1DahLd3kQ
— Casey Neistat (@Casey) November 6, 2023
The top celebrity finisher this year was none other than American YouTuber and filmmaker Casey Neistat. He ran the race in support of a charity called Project Healthy Minds, an NYC charity with the objective of changing and destigmatizing public attitudes toward mental health. Neistat completed the race in 3:01:27, finishing within the top 1,500m out of over 50,000 runners and 254th out of 4,257 in his M40-44 age category.
Matt James (3:04:50)
Finishing three minutes behind Neistat was the second celebrity to cross the finish line–former bachelor Matt James. The former bachelor ran a jaw-dropping personal best that beat his previous time of 3:46:45. James’ goal heading into the race was to break the three-hour mark but he came up just shy, finishing in 3:04:50. James had premier company helping him reach his goal of a sub-three-hour marathon. The 2017 NYC women’s champion, Shalane Flanagan, paced James from start to finish. Flanagan is now a full-time track and XC coach with the University of Oregon in Eugene, Ore.
Zdeno Chara (3:19:19)
Running what feels like his fifth or sixth marathon of the year and third in the last month, the former six-foot-nine NHL defenseman with the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators Zdeno Chara ran 3:19:19 as he continued his quest for an Abbott World Marathon Majors six-star finisher medal in NYC. Two weeks ago at the Baystate Marathon in Lowell, Mass. Chara clocked a new PB of 3:16:39. Although Chara did not run a PB, his 3:19 on the NYC Marathon course is impressive, considering he just began training for the distance this year.
Zac Clark (3:41:16)
James wasn’t the only member of Bachelor Nation running through NYC’s five boroughs. The Bachelorette’s Zac Clark finished with a time of 3:41:16, all in support of his charity Release Recovery, aiming to help people seek professional treatment are able who are suffering from substance use disorder and mental health.
Cody “Ko” Kolodziejzyk (3:53:29)
Canadian YouTuber and former NCAA diver Cody Ko is another famous YouTuber who ran the 2023 New York City Marathon. This was Ko’s first marathon major, finishing the race in 3:53:29, improving on his previous marathon by over an hour.
Sheinelle Jones (4:42:10)
The 45-year-old NBC Today Show correspondent completed her first marathon in 4:42:10. Jones entered the race determined to push the boundaries of her 4’11” stature. “I aim to prove that even an average person like me can take on this challenge,” Jones wrote on social media. “I’m 4’11”. I’m not a model. I’m not a runner, but I am now a marathon finisher.”
For full results of the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon, head here.
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