Who were the 3 NASCAR drivers to finish the Boston Marathon? All you need to know

The Boston Marathon is one of the most athletically challenging events and NASCAR drivers are no strangers to it. Over the years, many have taken part in the 26-mile event.

The Marathon has been historically run for over a century since 1897 in Boston, usually on the third Monday of April, on Patriots' Day. It observes around 30,000 participants each year and is spectated by over 500,000 people. While it was originally a local event in Massachusetts, it gained massive popularity over the years and is currently an attraction for athletes all around the world.

Through the years, NASCAR drivers have also marked their presence in the Marathon. Here are the three drivers who have run in The Boston Marathon.

#1 Jimmie Johnson, the first NASCAR driver to run The Boston Marathon

The seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion was the first NASCAR driver to take part in the Marathon. He took part in the 2019 edition of the marathon, while he was racing with Hendrick Motorsports in the Cup Series. He finished the competition with an unofficial time of 03:09:07. He called it one of the most challenging things he had done.

"That was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, what an experience! Unofficially 3:09:07 for the 🏁 #BostonMarathon #Boston2019"

#2 Danica Patrick

Patrick retired from motorsports racing after 2018, but got back to 'running' in 2021 when she participated in that year's Boston Marathon. It was held in October rather than the usual April because of the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. She ran with her sister under The Light Foundation's team, which was called "The Speed of Light." She finished The Marathon in 4:01:21.

#3 Matt Kenseth

Matt Kenseth is the latest and fastest driver to have participated in The Boston Marathon. After stepping away from the Cup Series in the 2020 season, he focused on other athletic activities and the Marathon was one of those things.

He explained that pacing yourself initially in the marathon was the biggest challenge (via USA Today):

"I think just pacing yourself in the beginning. There are such big crowds, and you couldn’t really pass people, which was kind of good. It kind of held me back. I think the biggest challenge is just not to kill your quads in all those downhills."

He marked his presence in the 2022 edition of the run, clocking in his finishing time at 03:01:40, the fastest of the other two drivers. He marked at six minutes, 56 seconds per mile.