Runners Pair Up to Finish New York Marathon
Recreational runners planning a first marathon can see how a shared pace helps carry them over the full 26.2-mile course.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Running
Actor and author Dylan Efron ran the New York Marathon on Sunday, November 1 alongside nutritionist and author Lottie, who ran the full 26.2-mile race. Lottie later shared an Instagram post about running beside him for the entire course, a moment that drew attention from fans of both.
Why it matters
Public races like the New York City Marathon draw recreational runners of every experience level, and accounts like this one show how far a shared training goal can carry people through a 26.2-mile course. For readers planning their own first marathon, the story is a reminder that finishing times vary widely and that pacing with a partner is a common strategy.
The figures come from Lottie's own Instagram post and the reported race results for the November 1 event, not from an independent timing report. The source does not provide split times or a published timing-chip record for either runner.
The players
Dylan Efron
Actor and former Dancing with the Stars competitor, younger brother of Zac Efron, who finished the marathon in under 3.5 hours.
Lottie
Author and nutritionist with an Instagram following of about 75,800 under the handle runningonveggies, who finished the marathon in around 3 hours 22 minutes.
The details
A marathon covers 26.2 miles, and runners who maintain a steady pace for the full distance often rely on pacing partners to hold effort even and avoid starting too fast. Lottie and Efron stayed together across the course, which is a common approach among runners who want company and a consistent rhythm. Efron later recounted being startled by the confetti cannon at the finish, a detail that reflects the high-energy atmosphere of the race.
Timeline
Sunday, November 1: the New York City Marathon was held, and Lottie and Dylan Efron ran the race together.
Thursday, November 5: Lottie's Instagram post about the shared run was reported.
Health Landscape
Mass-participation marathons like New York City's have grown into a major venue for recreational endurance training, with runners of every fitness level completing the distance. Pacing partnerships and group training are widely used strategies that help newer runners manage effort over 26.2 miles.
If you are considering your first long-distance race, a pacing partner can help you avoid starting too fast, a common cause of fading late in the course. Building up mileage gradually and discussing a training plan with your doctor before a marathon is a sensible way to prepare.
The takeaway
Running a marathon alongside a partner is one practical way to hold a steady pace over the full distance. Before committing to a long race, talk with your physician about whether your current fitness and health history suit a training plan.
Further reading
For more on training and race preparation, explore our Running coverage.
