Although the marathon is very much a dry land affair, the sea will also be at the centre of another runner's efforts. PE teacher Alan, who is Head of Sixth Form at Victoria College in Jersey, first met Scott, a personal trainer at the island’s Funktion Fitness, through football. As he points out, not everybody in his household shares his passion for running: his adopted greyhound, Willow, used to race but now largely prefers napping in the sun. During this unmissable yearly appointment, the TCS London Marathon and Guinness World Records worked side by side to celebrate all the records broken during the TCS London Marathon 2023.

From the day Pheidippides made his infamous journey in 490 BC people have been strapping on their sandals (and more recently running shoes) and running just over 26 miles for the fun of it. Runner and BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts also changed history by breaking the record for the fastest marathon with an ileostomy (female) after being diagnosed with Stage 2 bowel cancer. During the Virgin Money London Marathon 2021, two years ago, Julian set the record for the fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas. With eager runners, their families and curious onlookers swarming the streets, the marathon once again transformed the British capital, giving space to outstanding runners and record-breakers. year-old Joanne Robinson owns a pastel-hued café by the beach and, this year, decided to run for a noble cause.A post shared by Richard Allison (@drrichardallison_hl) Fastest marathon dressed as a three-dimensional dinosaur (male) I saw a photo of the record in my son’s Guinness World Records book last year, and told him I could do that. Obviously being a nine-year-old boy, he said ‘no, you cannot’… and that was enough for me to try!” - David One of them was pluri-record holder and pro athlete Chris “Rhino Boy” Green, who – with his now-famous rhino costume – currently holds the records for the fastest marathon dressed as a mammal (male) and fastest half marathon dressed as a mammal (male).

Thanks to her work, Larissa has seen first-hand how clean water can make the difference in the day-to-day. I feel proud for all the training I put in, and the dedication in the last six months. But most of all, I am happy that I was able to raise as much money as possible for the ABF Soldiers Charity, which is a charity close to my heart." - David Jones I ran the London Marathon in 2010 but did not really get into running until my son was 18 months old," she explains. "I participated in the 2020 virtual London Marathon and really enjoyed doing the longer miles.” After trying as many varieties as they could find on the island, they got to talking about how else they could celebrate their love of ice cream. I have run many races, including several marathons in shorts, so I am hopeful that the lessons learned from running in denim during those races will help in running in full jeans as part of this record attempt.” - KirkHer efforts will raise money for The National Lobster Hatchery, a Cornwall-based marine conservation, research and education charity that focuses on the over-exploitation of a specific commercial species: the lobster, which is at the centre of a major export industry but also a delicate part of the marine eco system. While some runners will try to snatch a new title – as is the case of Robert, a 49-year-old runner attempting the record for fastest marathon dressed as a scientist (male) – other seasoned record holders, like Francis Gilroy ( fastest marathon by a mascot) will run to improve their own time and upgrade their existing record. I run this marathon for a very personal reason,” the pro runner says, “because it will be my 35th marathon at age 35! I chose to run London Marathon again (the first time was in the year 2018), because I can raise funds to help my chosen charity, Livability UK.” Seven months later and significantly stronger, I completed the 2019 London Marathon in 4:00:02.” - Claudia Even though striving for a Guinness World Records title will further motivate Claudia, giving her another reason “to give her absolute all,” she hopes that her participation will also encourage more wheelchair users and raise awareness over disability.

Eventually, at the end of a fun and rewarding day, a total of 44 runners have snatched a world record: an incredible result that undoubtedly rewarded the long months spent training for the event. After undergoing an ileostomy (an opening in the belly that is made through surgery and that is used to move waste out of the body) due to her condition, the 44-year-old DJ crossed the finishing line at 3:30:22. At the moment, the title is held by Terry Midgley (UK), who achieved an incredible time of 2 hrs 55 mins 54 secs in 2015. The first record-breaking runner to cross the iconic finishing line on the day was Alex Grady, who ran the fastest marathon dressed as a boxer.

Fastest marathon dressed in Thai traditional dress  

At 28, Claudia Burrough has participated in eight marathons since 2019. She lives in Kingston upon Thames, where she works in Disability and Mental Health Support within Higher Education. Digby Walker, Benjamin Taylor, Charlie Mason, Edward Holderness, Guy Dixon and Oliver Tipping: Fastest marathon in a six-person costume - 04:34:52