Deirdre Keane Ran Seven Marathons While Pregnant, Including New York at 34 Weeks

Deirdre Keane drew widespread attention after finishing the New York City Marathon while 34 weeks pregnant. Wearing a glitter-covered bump as she crossed the line, the 38-year-old runner said in a post-race interview that it was her seventh marathon during the same pregnancy. Her account brought both congratulations and concern online, with some praising her determination and others questioning whether the long-distance effort was safe for the baby. Keane said running the New York race had not always been part of the plan. After marrying her husband, Brian Innes, last year, the couple began trying for a baby. She had already signed up for eight marathons in 2026, alongside a 100-mile ultramarathon and her first Ironman, describing those challenges as a possible last hurrah before becoming pregnant. After running the Boston and London marathons in April, Keane began feeling unwell. A pregnancy test revealed she was six weeks along. She decided, after speaking with her husband and doctor, to drop the ultramarathon and Ironman, but hoped to continue with the marathons she had planned. Keane said she was nervous about raising the issue with her doctor. According to her account, the doctor supported her running if she ate and drank enough and stopped if she experienced abdominal pain or cramping. Keane recalled being told that continuing was acceptable if she felt comfortable and did not push too hard. The doctor had doubted she would want to run New York at 34 weeks, she said, but did not object when she chose to do it. Her history of endurance events also predates her pregnancy. Keane said she was training for the World Marathon Challenge when she met Innes in 2022, a demanding event involving seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. For her, the latest race was another striking test of stamina; for observers, it has reopened debate about pregnancy, exercise and personal limits.