Running 26.2 miles is no small feat. Several Black women stars have proven that endurance, determination, and heart go far beyond the red carpet. From Hollywood to the finish line, here’s how some of Hollywoods biggest names pushed themselves to new limits.
Issa Rae: Portland Marathon, 2025
Issa Rae, best known for creating and starring in Insecure, recently joined the marathon club with her 2025 finish at the Portland Marathon. True to form, Rae made her run uniquely her own completing the race while wearing a weighted vest. She shared her experience on Instagram and jokingly apologized to a fan who approached her right after the finish line.
“Went to Portland to run a marathon,” she wrote. “To my girl who asked for a picture right after, I’m so sorry. I was very in pain and very ugly.”
Rae’s choice to run with added resistance captured her trademark mix of humor and determination. It’s a powerful reminder that even in pain, she’s running her own race.
Cynthia Erivo: London Marathon, 2022
Oscar-nominated actress and singer Cynthia Erivo brought the same powerhouse energy she’s known for onstage to the streets of London. She completed the 2022 London Marathon in an impressive 3 hours and 35 minutes, calling the experience “highly emotional.”
According to London Marathon Events, Erivo was cheered on by fans along the route and later said she felt “overwhelmed but proud.” Despite an intense schedule that included appearances at Paris Fashion Week just days later, she described the race as a personal challenge that reminded her of her own strength. For Erivo, running was about resilience and tapping into the same drive that fuels her on stage and screen.
Uzo Aduba: Boston Marathon, 2015
Before Orange Is the New Black made her a household name, Uzo Aduba crossed the Boston Marathon finish line in 5:03:24. The Emmy-winning actress ran to raise funds for cancer research and said the training process gave her space to release emotions she’d bottled up for years. According to Marathon Handbook, Aduba called the race “life-changing,” reflecting how the mental endurance of running mirrored the focus required in her acting career. Her story remains a testament to how physical goals can transform emotional resilience.
Alicia Keys: New York City Marathon, 2015
Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys joined the marathon ranks in 2015, completing the New York City Marathon in 5:50:52. She called the experience “Jedi mind-training.” It was a mix of physical and mental growth that pushed her far beyond her comfort zone.
In an interview with Refinery29, Keys said, “It’s not about racing anyone else — it’s about proving something to yourself.”
Her run captured the spirit of self-discovery that defines Keys’ artistry: strength rooted in grace, discipline, and a willingness to show up for yourself.
The Bigger Picture
Whether it’s Issa Rae’s weighted-vest grit, Cynthia Erivo’s elegance under pressure, Uzo Aduba’s emotional release, or Alicia Keys’ mental mastery, these women have redefined what endurance looks like. They’ve shown that Black women belong everywhere even at mile 26