The saint most often named as the patron saint of runners is St. Sebastian, the Roman soldier-martyr who is the patron of all athletes, and many runners also turn to St. Paul, who described the whole Christian life as a race to be run. There is no official patron of running, but these two, together with young saints like St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, have long been invoked by runners, from beginners to marathoners. Below are the saints for runners, Bible verses for running, and prayers before a run, before a race and for an injury.
A short runner’s prayer, written for this page:
Lord, I offer you this run.
Give strength to my legs, breath to my lungs and peace to my mind,
and help me to run the race of life with my eyes on you. St. Sebastian, pray for me. Amen.
Patron saints for runners
St. Sebastian (January 20)
Sebastian was a Roman soldier, an officer of the imperial guard, who secretly encouraged Christians in prison. When he was discovered, around the year 288, he was shot with arrows and left for dead; he survived, confronted the emperor, and was martyred. His strength and endurance made him the model of athletes, and he is the patron of athletes, soldiers and those suffering from epidemics. See the St. Sebastian prayer.
St. Paul the Apostle (June 29)
St. Paul, who traveled thousands of miles on foot to preach the Gospel, often compared the Christian life to running in the games of the Greek cities. At the end of his life he wrote that he had “finished my course.” See the St. Paul prayer.
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati (July 4)
A young man from Turin who loved mountain climbing, skiing and the outdoors, Pier Giorgio is a favorite of young athletes. He was canonized in 2025. See St. Pier Giorgio Frassati.
Bible verses for runners
St. Paul on running to win (1 Corinthians 9:24–25, Douay-Rheims):
Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain.
And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one.
Running with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1, Douay-Rheims):
And therefore we also having so great a cloud of witnesses over our head, laying aside every weight and sin which surrounds us, let us run by patience to the fight proposed to us:
Pressing on toward the finish (Philippians 3:13–14, Douay-Rheims):
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended. But one thing I do: forgetting the things that are behind, and stretching forth myself to those that are before,
I press towards the mark, to the prize of the supernal vocation of God in Christ Jesus.
Strength that does not run out (Isaias 40:31, Douay-Rheims):
But they that hope in the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall take wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Finishing the course (2 Timothy 4:7–8, Douay-Rheims):
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. Make haste to come to me quickly.
Prayers for runners
Written for this page.
Before a run
Lord, thank you for a body that can run.
Keep me safe on the road and the trail,
and let every step be a prayer of thanks. Amen.
Before a race or marathon
St. Sebastian, patron of athletes, pray for me today.
Calm my nerves, steady my pace and keep me from injury.
Help me to give my best, to encourage the runners around me,
and to finish with a grateful heart, whatever the clock says. Amen.
For an injured runner
Lord, you know how much I miss running.
Heal my body, give me patience while I rest,
and help me to trust that this time is not wasted. Amen.
For a running team
Lord, bless our team and our coaches.
Make us strong, disciplined and generous with one another,
and let our friendship be the best part of the race. Amen.
Praying while running
Many runners pray as they run. A decade of the Rosary fits easily into a mile, the Jesus Prayer can follow the rhythm of breathing, and a long run is a good time to pray for the people you love, one mile for each. See the Rosary prayers.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of runners?
St. Sebastian, the patron of athletes, is most often named. St. Paul, who compared faith to a race, is also invoked.
Is there a patron saint of marathon runners?
There is no official one. Marathoners usually invoke St. Sebastian or St. Paul.
What Bible verse is about running?
1 Corinthians 9:24 (“So run that you may obtain”), Hebrews 12:1 and Isaias 40:31 are favorites.
More patron saints
- Patron saints of sports and hobbies
- St. Sebastian prayer
- Patron saint of cyclists
- Patron saint of soccer
- St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
- Catholic prayer for strength
Texts and sources
- 1 Corinthians 9:24–25, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 3:13–14, Isaias 40:31 and 2 Timothy 4:7–8 (Douay-Rheims).