N.O.R.E. completed the 2025 NYC Marathon after training on his own and starting his fitness journey in Timberlands during a snowstorm.
N.O.R.E. crushed the 2025 New York City Marathon on Sunday, running 26.2 miles through all five boroughs and proving his transformation from rapper to runner.
The Hip-Hop veteran reportedly clocked in at 5:10:41, crossing the finish line with a mix of grit and gratitude.
Over 55,000 runners joined the annual race, including celebrities and athletes, but few had a story quite like his.
“The rumor is true… I conquered 26.2 miles!” N.O.R.E. posted on Instagram, sharing race-day clips and celebrating the moment with his followers.
N.O.R.E. Started His Running Journey In Timberlands
The Drink Champs host didn’t just show up—he showed out. His journey to the marathon began in the most unexpected way: a snowy jog in Timberlands.
“My first jog I ever did was in Timberlands,” he revealed on the New York Road Runners’ podcast “Set the Pace” in July. “That’s how unexperienced I was. It was snowing, and I just looked at myself, and I was overweight. I didn’t want to start next month. You know how everybody say, ‘Start next month.’ I started right then and there. So whatever I had on, I had bought a house in West Orange, and I had jogged to Verona.”
When asked what sparked the decision, he didn’t hesitate.
“I just looked at myself, I didn’t like how I was. And then, when I did that, I caught the high, because what I forgot to say is I had my friend Stig with me, and my friend Stig was more overweight than me. And, we struggled that five miles.”
Yes, Timberlands. In the snow.
“Five miles in Timberlands, in the snow,” he confirmed.
The Queens native said running gave him clarity and a sense of balance that music never did. Unlike the rush of a hit record, the marathon was about personal growth, not applause.
While the race featured a slew of well-known names from entertainment and sports, N.O.R.E.’s run stood out because of the raw, unfiltered path he took to get there. No coach. No fancy gear. Just a decision to change.
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