Notable runners include Jennifer Connelly, Antoni Porowski,
Tiki Barber, Dylan Efron, Joe Amabile, Kyle Fraser, Rich Roll, and Darby Allin
New York, Oct. 13, 2026 — New York Road Runners (NYRR), the nonprofit that “runs” New York City producing 60 annual adult and youth races, today announced a stacked celebrity lineup running the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon, which is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic 5-boro course.
“The TCS New York City Marathon brings together people from around the globe, and our incredible lineup of celebrity runners helps shine a spotlight on the sport and the power of movement to inspire and connect people,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, New York Road Runners CEO. “This year, they’ll join 60,000 runners and soak in the cheers, excitement, and unmatched energy that only New York City can deliver. They will also be raising money for worthy causes important to them and supporting our goal of raising $100 million for our Official Charity Partners in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the race running through all five boroughs.”
A diverse and inspiring group of notable runners from across sports, entertainment, and media will participate in the 26.2-mile journey through the five boroughs, with many of them running their first marathon and supporting a variety of charitable causes as New York Road Runners aims to raise $100 million for its Official Charity Partners this year.
A star-studded lineup of performers from across the silver screen, television, and stage will take on the streets of New York City, including Academy Award–winning actor Jennifer Connelly, who is running in support of Fred’s Team; Tony Award winner Patina Miller, who currently stars in “School Girls; or, the African Mean Girls Play” on Broadway; “The Four Seasons” and “Mean Girls” on Broadway star Erika Henningsen, who is running in support of Girl Rising; “The Rainmaker” star Merle Dandridge, who is running in support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; Jordan Litz, who currently stars as Fiyero in “Wicked” on London’s West End; and actor and singer-songwriter Joshua Bassett, who is running in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
A diverse range of reality TV and television stars will also participate, including “Queer Eye” and “Best of the World” star Antoni Porowski; librarian and “Reading Rainbow” star Mychal Threets, who is supporting the CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation; and several “The Bachelor” franchise alums: Hannah Ann Sluss, who is running with a group of fellow parent athletes as part of Team Nanit; Joe Amabile, who recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor; Matt James, co-founder of nonprofit ABC Food Tours; Blake Horstmann, who is supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Zac Clark, founder and CEO of Release Recovery; Greg Grippo; and Andrew Spencer.
Additional reality TV favorites include “The Traitors” and “Dancing with the Stars” star Dylan Efron, who is running with New Balance; “Dance Moms” alum Chloe Lukasiak, who is supporting TheaterWorksUSA; “Summer House” stars Carl Radke, who is supporting Release Recovery, and Luke Gulbranson, who is supporting Blood Cancer United; and “Survivor” season 48 winner Kyle Fraser and fellow cast member Mitch Guerra, who are supporting the Chelsea Piers Foundation.
Joining from the sports world are New York Giants legend Tiki Barber; mental health advocate and former NFL player Justin Britt, supporting NYRR Team for Kids; recently retired Premier League and England midfielder James Milner, supporting his foundation; AEW professional wrestler Darby Allin, supporting KultureCity; British ultra-endurance athlete William Goodge, who will cap an ambitious attempt to run 50 marathons in all 50 states in 24 days at the TCS New York City Marathon in support of Stand Up To Cancer; and ultra-endurance athlete and podcaster Rich Roll.
Familiar faces from the media industry will be lacing up, including The New York Times Company CEO Meredith Kopit Levien and Chief Legal Officer Diane Brayton, who will run alongside 10 colleagues as part of the “Run for Reporting” campaign supporting free journalism education and celebrating the 175th anniversary of the Times; CBS News anchor Errol Barnett; WABC-TV anchors Liz Cho and Mike Marza, running in support of the Alzheimer’s Association; NBC News correspondent Brian Cheung; NBC 4 New York meteorologist Matt Brickman; and journalist and media personality T.J. Holmes.
For the third year, as part of Maybelline’s commitment to mental health, members of the Maybelline Run Club will run for Team Maybelline in partnership with NAMI, including Bachelor Nation star and co-host Tayshia Adams; American Paralympian and “Survivor” season 43
contestant Noelle Lambert; comedian, New York Times bestselling author, and actor Zarna Garg; “Love Island USA” star Chelley Bissainthe; and co-host of Netflix’s “Couldn’t Agree Less” podcast, creator, and interior designer Allison Kucharczyk.
The lineup of celebrity and notable runners participating in the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon includes:
- Tayshia Adams – Bachelor Nation star and co-host running with Team Maybelline
- Darby Allin – AEW professional wrestler supporting KultureCity
- Joe Amabile – “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star supporting Release Recovery
- Tiki Barber – Former New York Giants player
- Errol Barnett – CBS News anchor and national correspondent
- Joshua Bassett – Actor, singer-songwriter, and musician supporting the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- Chelley Bissainthe – “Love Island USA” star and television personality running with Team Maybelline
- Matt Brickman – NBC 4 New York meteorologist
- Justin Britt – Mental health advocate and former NFL football player supporting NYRR Team for Kids
- Brian Cheung – NBC News correspondent
- Liz Cho and Mike Marza – WABC-TV anchors supporting the Alzheimer’s Association
- Zac Clark – “The Bachelorette” star and founder and CEO of Release Recovery
- Jennifer Connelly – Academy Award–winning actor
- Merle Dandridge – Actor supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
- Del Water Gap – American songwriter and producer
- Dylan Efron – “Dancing with the Stars” and “The Traitors” star running with New Balance
- Ellie Fisher – Wife of Broadway star and actor Jordan Fisher; supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
- Kyle Fraser – “Survivor” season 48 winner supporting the Chelsea Piers Foundation
- Zarna Garg – Comedian, New York Times bestselling author, and actor running with Team Maybelline
- Karen Sarahi Gonzalez – Digital creator and entrepreneur running with Team Maybelline
- William Goodge – British ultra-endurance athlete supporting Stand Up To Cancer
- Greg Grippo – “The Bachelorette” star
- Vinny Guadagnino – “Jersey Shore” star
- Mitch Guerra – “Survivor” season 48 star supporting the Chelsea Piers Foundation
- Luke Gulbranson – “Summer House” star supporting Blood Cancer United
- Erika Henningsen – Broadway star and actor supporting Girl Rising
- T.J. Holmes – Journalist and media personality
- Blake Horstmann – “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Matt James – “The Bachelor” star and co-founder of nonprofit ABC Food Tours
- Sam Judge – Wife of New York Yankees All-Star Aaron Judge; supporting KultureCity
- Meredith Kopit Levien and Diane Brayton – New York Times CEO and chief legal officer running with 10 other staffers supporting “Run for Reporting” campaign
- Allison Kucharczyk – co-host of Netflix’s “Couldn’t Agree Less” podcast, creator and interior designer running with Team Maybelline
- Jordan Litz – Broadway actor currently starring in “Wicked” on London’s West End
- Chloe Lukasiak – “Dance Moms” star supporting TheaterWorksUSA
- Patina Miller – Tony Award–-winning Broadway star and actor
- James Milner – Former Premier League soccer player and England midfielder supporting the James Milner Foundation
- Casey Neistat – Content creator, director, and entrepreneur supporting NYRR Team for Kids
- N.O.R.E. – Rapper, actor, and media personality; running with his “Run Champs” crew
- Oz Pearlman – Mentalist and endurance runner who holds the record for the most miles run in Central Park in a single day
- Peloton instructors – Robin Arzón, Mariana Fernandez, Hannah Frankson, Alex Karwoski, Zacharias Niedswiecki, Ash Pryor, Camila Ramón, and Matt Wilpers
- Laura Perlongo – Wife of Nēv Schulman
- P-Lo – Filipino American rapper and producer
- Antoni Porowski – “Queer Eye” and “Best of the World” star
- Carl Radke – “Summer House” star and entrepreneur supporting Release Recovery
- Rich Roll – Plant-based ultra-endurance athlete and podcaster
- Nēv Schulman – “Catfish: The TV Show” creator and host
- Hannah Ann Sluss – “The Bachelor” star running with Team Nanit
- Andrew Spencer – “The Bachelorette” and “Bachelor in Paradise” star
- Mychal Threets – Librarian and “Reading Rainbow” star supporting CMAK Sandy Hook Memorial Foundation
- Benjamin Walker – Actor and Broadway star
- Cory Wharton – Television personality, entrepreneur, and content creator supporting The Children’s Heart Foundation
About the History of the New York City Marathon (1970–2026)
Initially run in 1970 as four laps of Central Park with 55 finishers, the New York City Marathon left the park and was run through the five boroughs for the first time on Oct. 24, 1976, to celebrate the U.S. Bicentennial and uplift the city. The landmark move set the standard for the modern marathon event. This year, New York Road Runners is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 5-boro marathon course and setting a goal of raising $100 million for its Official Charity Partner Program, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Produced by the world’s premier running organization, today the TCS New York City Marathon is consistently one of the largest marathons in the world, bringing together nearly 60,000 participants and more than 2 million spectators for the best day of the year, in the best city in the world.
About New York Road Runners (NYRR)
A New York City–based nonprofit, New York Road Runners’ vision is to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running—serving more than half a million people annually through its races, free community events, youth running initiatives, and school-based programs across the five boroughs. During its nearly 70 years, New York Road Runners has grown from a local running club to the world’s premier community running organization, producing more than 60 adult and youth races each year, including the TCS New York City Marathon. Held the first Sunday each November, the TCS New York City Marathon features nearly 60,000 runners—from the world’s best professional athletes to a vast range of runners across experience levels, ages, genders, abilities, and backgrounds. To learn more, visit www.nyrr.org.