As the crisp autumn air settles over New York City, anticipation builds for the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, set to unfold on November 3. This iconic event, drawing over 50,000 runners from around the globe, weaves through all five boroughs in a 26.2-mile test of endurance, spirit, and community. Among the sea of athletes pounding the pavement from Staten Island to Central Park will be a star-studded contingent of celebrities, including breakout stars from Love Island USA—Bryan Arenales, Nic Vansteenberghe, and Elan Bibas—and indie rock icon Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie. These famous faces are not just participating for personal glory; many are leveraging their platforms to raise funds for charities, turning the grueling race into a force for good while inspiring fans worldwide.
The New York City Marathon, organized by New York Road Runners, has long been a magnet for celebrities seeking to challenge themselves amid the electric energy of cheering crowds. Since its inception in 1970 with just 127 participants, it has grown into one of the six World Marathon Majors, attracting elite runners and amateurs alike. The course starts at the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, snakes through Brooklyn’s vibrant neighborhoods, crosses into Queens, spans the Queensboro Bridge into Manhattan, dips into the Bronx, and culminates in Central Park. With an estimated 2 million spectators lining the streets, the event is as much a celebration of the city as it is a athletic feat. This year, the celebrity lineup adds extra buzz, with participants from reality TV, music, sports, and beyond gearing up for what promises to be an unforgettable day.
Love Island USA, the hit reality dating show that captivated audiences with its mix of romance, drama, and tropical escapades, has produced a trio of runners ready to trade villa lounging for marathon miles. Season seven, which aired in the summer of 2025 on Peacock, featured contestants navigating love triangles and challenges in a Fijian paradise. Among them, Bryan Arenales, Nic Vansteenberghe, and Elan Bibas stood out for their charisma and competitive spirits—qualities that will serve them well on the marathon course. Their participation highlights a growing trend of reality stars embracing fitness challenges post-show, using the visibility to promote health and philanthropy.
Bryan Arenales, a 26-year-old from Miami, emerged as a fan favorite on Love Island USA for his laid-back vibe and genuine connections. A fitness enthusiast and social media influencer with over 500,000 Instagram followers, Arenales is no stranger to pushing his limits. Just weeks ago, on October 12, he completed the Chicago Marathon in an impressive 4 hours, 18 minutes, and 40 seconds, showcasing his dedication to training amid a hectic schedule of appearances and endorsements. For the NYC Marathon, he’s aiming to maintain that momentum, running back-to-back majors—a feat that tests recovery and resilience. Arenales has shared glimpses of his preparation on social media, including early morning runs along Miami Beach and strength sessions in the gym. He’s lacing up without a specified charity this time but has expressed gratitude for the support from fans, who he says motivate him to keep going. His transition from reality TV to endurance sports underscores how the show can launch multifaceted careers, blending entertainment with personal growth.
Nic Vansteenberghe, 28, a registered nurse from Texas, brought medical expertise and a competitive edge to Love Island USA, finishing as a runner-up alongside partner Olandria Carthen. His background in healthcare has informed his approach to training, emphasizing balanced nutrition and injury prevention. Vansteenberghe has prior marathon experience, having completed two standalone races and one as part of an Ironman triathlon, each in around five hours and 20 minutes. For this event, he’s set an ambitious goal of breaking the five-hour mark, running with Team Strava, the fitness app community that tracks and motivates athletes. His regimen includes waking up at dawn for long runs, even after late-night events, which he credits with clearing his mind amid post-show chaos. Just over a week before the race, while attending a Celsius energy drink launch in Miami, Vansteenberghe described the period as his busiest yet, juggling marathon prep with media obligations. Adding a romantic touch, Olandria plans to fly in on race day to greet him at the finish line, providing that extra emotional boost. Fans can track his progress via the NYRR app, turning the event into an interactive experience.
Rounding out the Love Island contingent is Elan Bibas, 25, known for his infectious energy and quick wit on the show. A New York native, Bibas has a home-field advantage, familiar with the city’s streets from his daily life. He’s running with Team TAG Heuer, the luxury watch brand sponsoring several participants, and has been vocal about using the marathon to raise awareness for personal causes close to his heart. Bibas’s training has included group runs in Central Park and hill workouts to mimic the course’s bridges. In interviews, he’s shared how the discipline required for marathon prep mirrors the mental toughness needed on Love Island, where contestants face constant scrutiny. Together, these three stars represent the show’s evolving alumni network, proving that life after the villa can include athletic pursuits that build on their newfound fame.
Shifting from reality TV to the music scene, Ben Gibbard, the 49-year-old frontman of Death Cab for Cutie and The Postal Service, brings a seasoned runner’s perspective to the marathon. Gibbard, whose introspective lyrics have soundtracked generations, is an avid ultrarunner with impressive credentials, including completing the grueling 100-mile Western States Endurance Run earlier this year despite extreme heat. He’s teaming up with bandmate Dave Depper for the NYC Marathon, turning the event into a collaborative effort much like their musical endeavors. Gibbard announced his participation in September via a Facebook post and YouTube video, expressing excitement about fundraising for Protect Our Winters (POW), a nonprofit led by athletes and outdoor enthusiasts advocating for climate action. POW focuses on systemic solutions like clean energy access to combat environmental threats, aligning with Gibbard’s passion for the outdoors.
In his announcement, Gibbard invited donations of $26—one dollar per mile—or $260 for the chance to select a song for his race playlist, which he’ll share publicly afterward. This creative incentive blends his musical identity with philanthropy, encouraging fans to contribute while personalizing his run. Gibbard’s running journey began as a way to maintain health during tours, evolving into ultramarathons that demand mental fortitude akin to songwriting. He and Depper’s involvement highlights how musicians are increasingly embracing endurance sports, using their influence to spotlight causes. As POW’s official charity partner for the marathon, their efforts underscore the event’s role in promoting sustainability.
Beyond these headliners, the 2025 marathon boasts a diverse celebrity field. Broadway stars like Anthony Ramos, coached by Boston Marathon champ Des Linden, and Jordan Litz, supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, add theatrical flair. Reality TV is well-represented with Bachelor alumni such as Tyler Cameron and Joey Graziadei, while TV hosts like Phil Keoghan of The Amazing Race run for Back on My Feet, aiding those facing homelessness. Athletes like Olympic runner Alexi Pappas and former NFL player Isaac Rochell bring professional prowess, and influencers like Casey Neistat document the journey for millions online.
Preparation for such an event is no small feat. Runners like Gibbard draw on years of experience, while newcomers like Oliver Phelps, the Harry Potter actor supporting the Matt Hampson Foundation, face their debut with trepidation and excitement. Training regimens vary: long runs, cross-training, and nutrition plans tailored to individual needs. For the Love Island stars, balancing post-show commitments with workouts has been challenging, but they’ve credited supportive communities like Strava and TAG Heuer for keeping them on track.
The marathon’s charitable impact is profound, with participants raising millions annually. Gibbard’s POW campaign emphasizes climate urgency, while others like Carl Radke of Summer House support mental health via Release Recovery. This blend of celebrity influence and altruism amplifies the event’s reach, encouraging everyday people to lace up and contribute.
As race day dawns, the streets will pulse with energy, from the starting cannon to the finish line medals. For Arenales, Vansteenberghe, Bibas, Gibbard, and their fellow stars, crossing that line represents more than physical achievement—it’s a testament to perseverance, community, and purpose. Fans tuning in via live streams or cheering from sidewalks will witness Hollywood and indie icons alike embracing the universal challenge of the marathon, proving that stardom and sweat can coexist beautifully.
In a year marked by global uncertainties, events like this remind us of human resilience. Whether it’s Gibbard curating a fan-sourced soundtrack or the Love Island trio turning reality fame into real-world impact, these celebrities are set to inspire. As they gear up for the pavement, New York City awaits, ready to celebrate every stride.
