# Runner Completes NYC Marathon in 2:49 Dressed as a Hot Dog Sarah Pezzino sets a potential world record while raising funds for cancer research. - **Source:** [Runner's World](https://www.runnersworld.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cd77b896-6e17-440b-a10d-f80eced9b40c ## Unconventional Marathon Achievement Sarah Pezzino, a 23-year-old personal trainer from Pennsylvania, completed the New York City Marathon in 2:49:15 while wearing a hot dog costume. This performance shattered the previous Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon run dressed as a savory food, which stood at 3:11:34, by more than 22 minutes. ## Motivation Through Personal Loss Pezzino’s participation was driven by a deep personal connection to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. She lost her mother to a rare cancer in 2022 and a family friend to multiple myeloma. Alongside her coworkers at CycleFit Lehigh Valley, she organized various community events, successfully raising over $8,000 for the organization. ## Overcoming Athletic Burnout After a serious medical emergency forced her to drop out of a marathon in 2025, Pezzino considered quitting the sport entirely due to excessive self-pressure. Encouragement from close friends helped her return to racing with a new focus on enjoying the experience rather than obsessively chasing personal best times on the clock. ## Logistical Costume Challenges The hot dog suit, originally purchased at Target, required modifications to be race-ready. Because the headpiece was too small for an adult, Pezzino wore it as a hood, and her teammates helped tailor the sides. She only tested the outfit during a three-mile run the day before the actual marathon event. ## Race Day Conditions Cool weather on race day proved beneficial, preventing the overheating and chafing that could have hindered her performance. She carried a handheld water bottle for the first 20 miles to maintain hydration. Despite the bulky nature of the costume, she reported that it caused surprisingly little physical trouble during the race. ## Engaging With The Crowd Throughout the course, Pezzino embraced the spectacle, interacting with spectators who shouted playful comments about her attire. She spent the race chatting with fellow runners and posing for photos rather than focusing on her splits. She noted that her mindset was entirely set on enjoying the city and the crowd. ## Celebrity And Media Attention Upon finishing in Central Park, Pezzino was greeted by grand marshal Tracy Morgan, who joked about her relishing the moment. Broadcasters immediately interviewed her, clipping a microphone onto the mustard portion of her costume. The feat quickly gained attention as she processed the reality of running a sub-three-hour marathon in costume. ## Focus On Community Support Pezzino emphasized that her favorite moment was spotting her CycleFit teammates cheering in the final 200 meters. Their support throughout her training and fundraising efforts was more meaningful to her than the record itself. She concluded that she did not cross a single finish line during the year entirely alone. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a74346708/nyc-marathon-hot-dog-runner/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._