Celebrities Lace Up for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon



by NOUMAN RASOOL

Celebrities Lace Up for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon
Celebrities Lace Up for the 2023 TCS New York City Marathon © Michael Reaves/GettyImages

This Sunday, November 5, the streets of New York City will be teeming with energy and excitement as around 50,000 runners participate in the prestigious 2023 TCS New York City Marathon. Amongst the sea of determined athletes, a plethora of celebrities from various sectors including television, film, music, and sports are set to make their mark on the 26.2-mile course.

Notable figures like Nev Schulman from MTV's "Catfish" and hockey legend Zdeno Chára are amongst the famed participants this year. Charitable Impact and Athletic Celebration: The New York City Marathon is renowned not just as an athletic spectacle, but also as a grand celebration of philanthropy, with millions of dollars being raised for charitable causes worldwide.

In 2022, the New York Road Runners, the event's organizers, reported a staggering $52.3 million raised by runners for official charity partners across the 2021 marathon and the 2022 half-marathon. Ashton Kutcher, a familiar face in Hollywood, made headlines last year by raising over $1 million for Thorn, his charity aimed at combating child s*xual abuse, as reported by People magazine.

Star-Studded Participant List and Spectator Engagement

The 2023 marathon boasts a star-studded lineup, with New York Road Runners listing several celebrities who will be pounding the pavement. Thanks to the TCS New York City Marathon app, fans and spectators can keep tabs on their favorite stars throughout the race.

Singer and actress Patina Miller, celebrated with both Tony and Grammy Awards, is pulling double duty. Not only is she running to support Komera, an organization dedicated to empowering young Rwandan women through education, health, and community, but she will also perform the national anthem at the starting line in Staten Island.

Actor Luke Macfarlane, familiar to audiences from "Brothers & Sisters" and numerous Hallmark Channel films, is participating in the NYC Marathon for the first time, running alongside family members in support of diabetes research through Beyond Type 1.

"The Bachelor" alum Matt James, an avid runner and former Wake Forest University football player, is returning for his second consecutive marathon after finishing last year's race in an impressive 3:46:45. Zdeno Chára, a veteran of 24 NHL seasons and a 2011 Stanley Cup champion with the Boston Bruins, is taking on the New York City Marathon as part of his goal to complete six major marathons.

Having already conquered the Boston Marathon earlier this year, Chára's towering 6'9" frame will make him a standout amongst the runners. Nev Schulman is embracing a new challenge this year, participating as a guide runner for a visually impaired athlete through Achilles International, marking his seventh New York City Marathon.

Meanwhile, former "Good Morning America" co-hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes are joining forces once again, running side by side after both finishing last year's race in just over 4 hours and 25 minutes. The duo recently revealed their plans to launch a new podcast, "Amy & T.J." Additional Participants: The 2023 NYC Marathon will also feature popular YouTubers Cody Ko and Casey Neistat, both experienced marathoners, as well as Samantha Judge and Emily Rizzo, the spouses of New York Yankees stars Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo.

With this eclectic mix of celebrities, athletes, and influencers, this year's event promises to be a memorable spectacle, capturing the attention of spectators and fans worldwide.

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