Marathon Playlist: Gay Anthems

Audiobooks, podcasts, music… the options are endless when it comes to marathon running. But this one is for when the race gets ugly and you need something ridiculous, euphoric, and very, very gay to keep you moving.

I’ve gone for techno remixes because I run better to a steady 180bpm, but if that’s not your vibe, take this as inspiration and build your own. And if you’ve got gay anthems I’ve missed, send them my way — this playlist is a work in progress (like me).

The Top 10 Gay Anthems for Marathon Running

10. Robyn – Dancing On My Own

The ultimate “power through the chaos” anthem. It’s sad, it’s euphoric, it’s perfect for the final stretch where you’re technically surrounded by thousands but also, emotionally and spiritually, very much alone.

9. Adele – Set Fire to the Rain (Club Remix)

Nothing says “mile 23 emotional breakdown” like crying while sprinting to Adele. The remix keeps it moving, but the drama still lands.

8. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody

By mile 22, you will not want to dance with anybody. But Whitney will drag you to the finish.

7. Loreen - Tattoo

She doesn’t care about the pain. Neither should you. Euphoria is another solid choice and probably the more obvious answer. I personally prefer running to Tattoo, even if Euphoria is her stronger track.

6. Cher - Believe

Do I believe in life after love? No, Cher, at mile 19 I don’t believe in life at all, but if Cher can still be on stage in her seventies, I can definitely keep running.

5. Lady Gaga - Born this way

There’s no straighter line than 26.2 miles, but this makes it fabulous.

4. Shakira - Waka waka (This time for Africa)

Lines like “Pick yourself up and dust yourself off, get back in the saddle” can be really motivating after you’ve messed up at the water station for the seventh time and you’ve got a nose full of water and a major coughing fit and you’re still wildly dehydrated.

3. Gloria Gaynor - I will survive

I absolutely thought I would crumble. But Gloria says no, so I keep moving. Bonus points if you scream-sing along at random spectators.

2. ABBA - Gimme gimme gimme

Who doesn’t want a man after midnight who can take you through the darkness to the break of the day? Peak delirium track for the later stages of the race.

1. Britney Spears - Work Bitch

No explanation needed. Now get to work, bitch.

Why Gay Anthems Work for Running

Gay anthems are perfect running songs for three reasons:

1. BPM – Many remixes sit at 170–185 bpm, which matches a natural running cadence.
2. Camp factor – Marathons are already absurd. Why not soundtrack them with something equally dramatic?
3. Emotional range – From disco joy to tragic euphoria, gay anthems mirror the emotional rollercoaster of a marathon. Music has been shown to improve endurance and mood during exercise, which is why a key change at mile 21 feels like rocket fuel.

Should I wear headphones when running a marathon?

Depends. At big city races like New York or London, the crowd alone is louder than any playlist. For smaller races, you might actually need the distraction.

Officially, some races “ban” headphones for safety. In practice, I’ve never seen it enforced. My personal approach is to bring headphones, but I carry them as my nuclear option. If things feel horrendous, music is an instant reset button.

My last three half marathons I didn’t touch them - not even on The Bridge Half Marathon where there essentially no spectators

What makes a good marathon playlist?

Energy: Songs that make you want to dance (or at least shuffle enthusiastically).

Stamina: 42.2km is a long time to listen to anything. Absolute bangers lose their edge after three hours. Save your music for when you really need it.

Chaos factor: The marathon is emotionally unstable, which is why I like to shuffle. My brain state is far too erratic to sync with an ordered playlist. Somehow the chaos and the songs line up.

How to Build Your Own Marathon Playlist

Go for mood, not math: Cadence playlists are cute in theory, but after three hours of running you won’t care if a song is 172 bpm or 182 bpm. What matters is whether it distracts you from how much everything hurts. Pick songs that lift your mood, not ones that fit a metronome.

Mix it up: Don’t just go wall-to-wall bangers. Throw in a few chaotic, silly tracks for mental relief.

Save the nukes: Put your absolute emotional anthems towards the end when you really, really need them. 

Your turn

Drop me your ultimate marathon bangers (gay or otherwise), and I’ll keep updating the Spotify list!