"Creator @femaria, who has run the Boston and NYC marathons (among many others), says the glitter trend really seemed to take off this year, likely thanks to Taylor Swift's recent glitter freckles moment at a Kansas City Chiefs game. Fe Maria says she was also inspired by creative festival makeup looks that are heavy on shine. "I wanted to do something fun, and thought it would be perfect for race day," she tells Bustle."
"As she ran, Fe Maria says it felt good to see other sparkly athletes. "There was plenty of glitter on the course during the NYC Marathon, and it's always so fun to spot fellow runners sparkling in the crowd," she says. "To me, it also feels like a small celebration of womanhood and our place in running." For so long, marathons were male-dominated, she adds, and for years, women weren't even allowed to participate. "Seeing women owning the course with glitter feels like a reminder that we are here to take up the space that we deserve to have.""
Thousands of runners and spectators at the 2025 New York City Marathon wore face and hair glitter, turning the race into a sparkling visual trend. TikTok creators and attendees decorated themselves with glitter freckles and pots of shimmer, often sharing before-and-after moments and recommending the look. Influences cited include Taylor Swift's glitter freckles moment and creative festival makeup aesthetics. Runners reported enjoying spotting fellow sparkly athletes on the course. Many framed glitter as a celebratory expression of womanhood and visibility in a sport historically dominated by men. The trend extended beyond participants to cheering crowds who applied glitter to others' faces. On social platforms, glitter served as the final finishing touch before lacing up and attaching bibs, amplifying community and festive energy.
Read at Bustle
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