Good night, let’s run a marathon: pyjamas make the perfect active wear

Have you ever wanted to cozy up with a gentle 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres) run? Certainly, no one would choose a marathon over bedtime.

Emmanuel Bonnier (France) took on the drowsy task and ran a 2 hr 42 min 37 sec marathon, while in his night suit. On average that is around 6 min per mile. On 11 May 2025, Emmanuel definitely did not sleepwalk his way into the record title fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas (male).

To run a marathon, whether in pyjamas or proper running gear, it takes a lot of training. Luckily for Emmanuel he was used to the challenge. “Officially, I’ve completed around 30 marathons,” Emmanuel said. “However, I now specialize in ultra-endurance, where I often run several marathons back-to-back during a single event. For example, I covered 255 km in 24 hours, which is roughly the equivalent of six marathons in a row. If I count every time, I’ve run the marathon distance in training and races, it’s probably closer to 300.”

With 300 marathons under his belt, growing sleepy of a typical marathon, Emmanuel wanted to bring creativity to his runs. He said: “I wanted to continue combining performance with something fun and unusual. The idea of running in pyjamas came naturally as a way to stay in that spirit while taking on a new challenge.”

Get this bedtime story, Emmanuel has not been the only pyjama marathon record achiever. In fact, there are enough former title holders for a slumber party! Between fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas (male) and fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas (female), there have been nine endurance runners that looked more ready for a snooze fest than an endurance race.  

Sleepwear is not Emmanuel’s only choice for his marathon uniform. Prior to running in pyjamas, in 2023 he broke the record for fastest marathon in a suit (male). “Even today, people often recognize me and say, ‘Aren’t you the guy who ran a marathon in a suit and in pyjamas?'" Emmanuel said. “The reactions are great — people find it funny, but they’re also impressed. Running a marathon in 2 hours 40 mins is already a strong performance in standard gear, so doing it under these conditions really surprises people.”

Read more about record-breaking endurance in our Sports and Fitness Section.

When asked to compare the difference between running in a suit and running in pyjamas, Emmanuel said: “The suit was more restrictive and required careful adaptation, especially with heat and movement constraints. The pyjamas were lighter and more comfortable, but still unusual enough to add a real challenge. Each had its own difficulties and its own kind of fun.”

While challenging himself with running in unique active wear, Emmanuel has moved on to new challenges. “I’m focusing more on performance goals. In particular, I’m aiming for selection to the French national team for the 24-hour race and potentially trying to break the French record in that discipline,” he said. “My current goal of attempting the greatest distance run on a treadmill in 12 hours (male) title is a new kind of challenge for me, both physically and logistically, and I’m very motivated to make it happen.”

Typically, pyjamas don’t leave the home, only taken out for the evening time. But the silly side of marathon runners have repurposed the sleepwear and have combined creativity, achievement, and good old humour.  Maybe, in order to dream big, we need to stay in our sleepwear.