New Guinness World Records Set At London Marathon

Guinness World Records, the official authority on record-breaking, today confirmed that 35 new Guinness World Records were achieved at the 2011 Virgin London Marathon; more than at any time in the event’s history. 

150 runners were provided with on-the-spot verification as they attempted to break records ranging from the Fastest Marathon Juggling a Football to the Most Rubik’s Cubes Solved Whilst Running a Marathon.

Superman, AKA David Stone from Exmouth in Devon, flew through the finish line in a time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 46 seconds, smashing the record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Superhero in the process. 

Hot on his heels was Sheffield’s Jon Morgan who, dressed as Fred Flintstone, recorded a time of 2hours 46minuted and 59seconds breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Cartoon Character.

Male runners wearing ‘female nurse’ uniform always go down well with the marathon spectators, but Kevin Harvey, a 36 year-old physiotherapist from Birmingham, proved no laughing matter with a finish time of 2hours 52minutes and 26seconds, breaking the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon in a Nurse's Uniform. 

Arguably the most impressive run on the day came from Carl Creasey who attempted the Fastest Marathon Carrying 60 lb pack. 

A Sergeant serving in the Royal Marines, Carl from Ipswich achieved an agonising new record in a time of 4hours 50minutes and 56seconds.

Marathon stalwart John Sandford Hart from Mudeford achieved two Guinness World Records with Fastest Marathon Completed on Crutches - one leg (6h 24m 48s) and Most Marathons Completed on Crutches (6).

Germany’s Uli Killian achieved a new Guinness World Record for the Most Rubik’s Cubes Solved Whilst Running a Marathon (100 solved in 4hours 45minutes 43seconds), while a team of 47 runners led by David Whillans showed true team-work by making it round the course in 7h 28m 43s to take the record for the Most Runners Linked to Complete a Marathon.

One of the final Guinness World Records achieved on the day also provided the most jubilant celebrations. 

7 hours and 55 minutes after the marathon officially started, a band consisting of 20 musicians crossed the finishing line and achieving a new Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marching Band, having played for the entire 26.2 mile course.