Former reality television couple Holly Kingston and Jimmy Nicholson recently completed their first marathon together, crossing the finish line at the TCS Sydney Marathon held on Sunday. The duo, who initially met on the reality show The Bachelor, marked the 42.2-kilometer race as a significant milestone, particularly for Kingston, who only began running during a challenging post-partum period after the birth of their son, Lennox.

Kingston revealed that running became a vital part of her mental health recovery when she was navigating the demanding early months of motherhood. She described those times as “pretty wild” and noted running offered a rare mental escape from the constant focus on her infant. “It was probably the only time I didn’t think about Lenny … as a young baby you physically can’t think about anything else,” she said.

The couple has since incorporated running into their shared routine, though they maintain separate paces and approaches during their training sessions. Nicholson noted they run “at the same time, but we run our own race,” emphasizing the activity’s role in mental clarity for both of them.

Beyond its physical benefits, Kingston described running as a constructive “circuit breaker” in their relationship, especially important as they balance parenting, working, and managing a business together. When tensions arise, she said taking time for a run helps to reset their moods and clear their heads. Nicholson added that successfully navigating the post-partum period depended heavily on mutual support, patience, and focusing on enjoying family life. “Time and just try to support each other and just have fun together and remember why we’re doing life together,” he said. “You’ve got to live in the moment a little bit as well.”

The couple completed the marathon as ambassadors for SharkNinja, a role that underscored the comprehensive nature of marathon preparation beyond simply building endurance. Their training included careful attention to refueling, hydration, and recovery practices, which they maintained even while holidaying in Europe. During a recent trip to Italy, they trained despite high temperatures, illustrating their commitment to the challenge.

Nicholson expressed admiration for Kingston’s rapid progression from a novice runner to marathon finisher, describing her achievement as “pretty incredible.” While they have yet to decide on future marathon plans, the pair seem to approach the prospect with a mixture of enthusiasm and pragmatic disagreement, leaving the door open for more running challenges ahead.