Pop sensation Harry Styles surprised eveyone this weekend by completing the Berlin Marathon in an impressive 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds, all while attempting to fly under the radar using a clever pseudonym.
The Grammy-winning artist registered for the prestigious race under the alias “Sted Sarandos,” hoping to blend in among the 55,000 participants who took to Berlin’s streets. However, dedicated fans quickly saw through his disguise, tracking down his bib number and documenting his remarkable athletic achievement.
According to German newspaper Tagesspiegel, the 31-year-old singer demonstrated exceptional pacing throughout the 26.2-mile course. He maintained remarkable consistency, clocking 1:29:08 for the first half and 1:30:06 for the second half, a strategy that elite marathoners would applaud.
This sub-three-hour finish represents a quantum leap in Styles’ running prowess. Just seven months earlier, he completed the Tokyo Marathon with a time of 3:24:07, meaning he shaved an astounding 25 minutes off his personal best. The improvement showcases serious dedication to training and the sport.
Among the competitive field, Styles finished 524th in his age group of runners over 30 and claimed 2,241st place overall. These results would make any recreational runner envious. For context, fewer than five percent of marathon finishers worldwide achieve the coveted sub-three-hour milestone.
Fan-captured footage circulating on social media shows the “As It Was” singer looking focused and strong during various points of the race, his identity unmistakable despite his attempted anonymity. The clips reveal him maintaining steady form while navigating Berlin’s historic route, which passes iconic landmarks including the Brandenburg Gate.
This marks Styles’ second marathon of 2024, suggesting the former One Direction member has embraced long-distance running as more than just a passing interest.