How Fast Is Mister Marathon in The Boys Season 5? Jared Padalecki’s Speed, Explained

So Eric Kripke just can’t quit his old Supernatural pals. If it feels like half that show’s cast has wandered onto The Boys at this point, well, you aren’t wrong. First we had Jensen Ackles as Soldier Boy, then Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Jim Beaver. Now it’s time for Misha Collins and, yes, Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester himself) to join the mix.

Padalecki shows up in Season 5 as Mister Marathon — a speedster whose "meaty role really turns the story," as Kripke told the press. We’re down to the wire with The Boys (only a handful of episodes left in the whole series), so it’s safe to say his impact could be a big one... or, you know, maybe more of a glorified cameo. Either way, let’s talk through this character, what the show has changed, and – since you asked – whether this very washed-up sprinter is remotely useful in a pinch.

Mister Marathon: Fastest Man in... the Past Tense

Mister Marathon isn’t exactly new to The Boys mythos. His name comes up way back when A-Train is first introduced, since he’s the guy A-Train replaced. Here’s the rundown:

• Mister Marathon used to be the world’s fastest dude, or at least the one with the best agent. Vought signed him for The Seven because of that.
• Aging kind of ruined his business model. As he slowed down, he got the boot and A-Train got his break. Vought does not handle "growing old gracefully."
• Since then, Marathon’s been sidelined. Maybe hoping for a comeback. Maybe just clinging to the memory of that supersuit.
• But with A-Train dead early in Season 5 (after surprisingly switching sides), the field is wide open for a washed-up runner to return.

What’s hilarious is, Mister Marathon was never exactly a superstar, even at his peak. Back in Season 2, Ashley tries to spin A-Train’s firing as not that bad by reminding him he lasted "four years longer than Mister Marathon" in The Seven. Not a compliment.

Morality: Not His Strong Suit

If you’re wondering whether this new addition is at least a decent guy, let’s just say… not by a long shot. Kripke described him as a "coke-blowing scumbag" who is "refreshingly sleazy" (his words, not mine). Butcher would love to punch this guy in the face. And if you remember that random Season 2 scene where Lamplighter tells Hughie about sneaking college girls into Vought HQ with Mister Marathon’s help? That’s him. Not the most upstanding superhero out there.

The Comics Version: Blinks and You Miss Him

Just for comparison: on the comic page, Mister Marathon was built with Stormfront’s DNA (show Marathon is just another Compound V kid). He got a whopping three issues of screentime, then was killed off during a botched 9/11 intervention — yes, really. After that, A-Train replaced him, and that was that.

So the show already goes way further. Kripke’s done this before, turning small comics roles into real characters (Soldier Boy, anyone?). Who knows, maybe the team’s actually better off with Marathon than nothing, because every week The Seven seems to lose someone else. Even if he can’t break the sound barrier, it’s not like Homelander can do it alone.

The Great Speedster Race... That Never Happened

Fans who wanted a real answer to the "who’s faster?" debate were set for a treat — then it fizzled out. In a Seven on 7 propaganda segment back in 2021, a (totally staged) race between A-Train and Mister Marathon was announced, then quietly canceled for a "classified mission." Judging by the timeline, A-Train would’ve mopped the floor with his predecessor, but we’ll never know for sure.

Where's Mister Marathon Been?

Season 5, Episode 2 drops a quick update: after some legal trouble, Mister Marathon takes a "court-ordered stay" at Vought’s cushy Global Wellness Malibu facility — basically rehab for supers who’ve either screwed up badly or just can’t hang up the cape without falling apart. Now we know how his "coke-blowing" lifestyle got so out of hand. Maybe he’ll come back with his life together. Or maybe he’ll just be a guy in spandex pretending not to be absolutely falling apart. Nothing’s off the table with The Boys.

Kripke’s collecting his Supernatural crew like Infinity Stones, The Seven is desperately clearing the bench for backup, and Mister Marathon may or may not still be able to run without wheezing. Welcome to the late innings of The Boys — it just keeps getting messier, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.