Truett Hanes isn’t just running marathons—he’s redefining what it means to suffer for the sport.
The 28-year-old from Springfield, Oregon, has recently stunned the running community with a blistering 2:34:45 marathon finish at the Eugene Marathon.
But that’s not even the most shocking part. He did it wearing denim jeans.
And it wasn’t a fluke. That Eugene finish was his second marathon in under a week, both personal bests, and his third marathon of April 2025—all in jeans.
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Running Fast, Running Weird
While most runners obsess over the right moisture-wicking gear or anti-chafing tights, Hanes leans into discomfort. For him, denim is both a challenge and a statement.
“I believe that if you have a strong mind and an able body, then you can run just fine no matter the attire,” he told Canadian Running. It’s a philosophy that’s led him to complete six marathons in jeans so far—four this year alone—each under the coveted three-hour mark.
At the Eugene Marathon, Hanes not only ran a 2:34:45, but hit personal bests in both the 10K and half-marathon splits. This came just six days after running a 2:38:29 at the Boston Marathon.
“I had every excuse I needed to take it easy yesterday at Eugene,” Hanes posted on Instagram. “But during the national anthem I decided I might as well see what I have in the tank.”
He started fast, prepared to crash and burn. Instead, he soared.
Motivation with a Sense of Humor
Some athletes find motivation in medals or personal records. Hanes found his in a homemade sign from his wife: “Sub 2:40 or divorce.” He hit the mark. Barely.
“Well, I love my wife, so I had to make it happen,” Hanes joked. But behind the humor lies a serious work ethic. He runs 70 miles per week and lifts weights daily, often in the same jeans he’ll race in.
Even more impressive? Earlier in April, he completed the Knoxville Marathon with a time of 2:50:47—wearing jeans and only one shoe.
From Denim to Philanthropy
Hanes isn’t running in jeans just to turn heads. He’s partnered with The Perfect Jean NYC, a denim company that donates 10% of its sales to charitable causes. Together, they’ve raised $15,000 in the past four months for multiple sclerosis research and the Miracle Foundation, a nonprofit supporting orphans in India and the U.S.
“It all clicked for me,” Hanes said. “I can do two things I love at once: push myself physically in an unconventional way and raise money to help others.”
His long-term goal? To break 2:30 in jeans and potentially set a Guinness World Record. While the record for “fastest marathon dressed as a rancher” currently sits at 2:42:14, Hanes hopes to officially set the denim benchmark at the London Marathon, the only race Guinness recognizes for costume records.
Built for Pain—and Records
Running in jeans is just one aspect of Hanes’ unorthodox approach. In February 2025, he set the Guinness World Record for most pull-ups in 24 hours—cranking out a staggering 10,001 reps in 22 hours.
To prepare, he logged 130,000 pull-ups over six months, averaging over 700 reps per day. He also reportedly warms up for races with 100 push-ups and has even run a mile while carrying 260 pounds.
“All it takes is consistency and an absolute certainty that no matter what happens, I’d never quit,” Hanes said. “Just keep doing pull-ups, keep running and you’ll get better.”
A Legacy in Motion
Athleticism runs in Hanes’ blood. His father, Cameron Hanes, is an endurance athlete, bowhunter, and frequent guest on the Joe Rogan podcast. Truett ran his first half-marathon at eight years old and finished a full marathon at 13, thanks to his dad fudging his age on the registration form.
Now, he’s on a relentless quest for improvement. His 2025 calendar includes the Boston, Eugene, Huntsville, and NYC Marathons, plus a backyard ultra in May and the grueling Leadville 100-miler in August.
No matter the event, one thing’s for sure: he’ll likely be wearing jeans.
What Runners Can Learn
Hanes is an anomaly, but he’s also a reminder of the power of mindset. While no one’s recommending trading your running shorts for denim, his story offers lessons:
- Mental toughness often outweighs physical discomfort.
- Consistency is the real performance enhancer.
- You don’t need perfect conditions to achieve greatness.
Chafing or not, Truett Hanes proves there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to endurance. Sometimes, all you need is grit—and a good pair of jeans.
