For the fifteenth consecutive year, the London Marathon and Guinness World Records joined forces to flood the streets of the British capital with fun costumes, incredible talents and records.
The TCS London Marathon returned on Sunday 2 October 2022 for its 42nd edition.
This marked the second in-person London Marathon after the pandemic, following last year’s Virgin Money London Marathon 2021.
The morning saw 34 possible record holders warming up at the starting line, in Greenwich, London, to push the limits of their endurance and, possibly, go home with an official Guinness World Records certificate. At the end of the day, 18 left with a record.
Most of the runners decided to participate to also raise awareness regarding a cause close to their hearts.
In total, since the first London Marathon in 1981, the event has raised more than £1 billion for charity.
From runners supporting their local hospice (like Joan Pons Laplana, attempting to break the record for fastest marathon dressed as a glass) to helping the charities supporting their families, most athletes today decided to help their communities while aiming for a record.
“I’m running to raise funds for Readipop,” explained David Mark Sollis, who attempted the record for fastest marathon dressed as a mariachi musician.
“They’re a local charity based in Reading, and they’ve been working with my son for about 6 years.”
Although David didn't manage to break the record, he still raised money and awareness for a charity close to his heart.
David Jones was the first record-breaking runner to cross the finish line and breaking the record for fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas (male) with an incredible time of 2:47:15.
He kicked off the day with the right foot, smashing the previous record.
“I feel relieved", he declared to our spotters at the end of the event.
"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
David Henson decided to run handcuffed, crossing the finishing line second and breaking the record for fastest marathon wearing handcuffs (male) with a time of 2:54:57.
He was really pleased with the result and, predictably, exhausted once he reached the finish line.
"It's hard work, but I'm pleased to raise a good bit of money for Southampton Hospitals Charity," he said.
The fourth record to be broken during the day was by Gower Tan, an experienced runner who attempted to snatch the GWR title in a scientist costume.
He broke the record with a time of 3:14:16.
"I've has a bloodthirsty run and I'm now super hungry, I need to recharge!" - Victoria Carter, fastest marathon dressed as a vampire (female)
More runners followed suit, breaking records left and right: like Matt Brooks, who broke the record for fastest marathon dressed as a star (male) with a time of 3:44:00.
"I'm running as a star... actually, I am a star because I got a world record! I'm one of the happiest people in the world."
Among the record breakers we have all sorts of sportsmen (like Andrew Roberts, who broke the record for fastest marathon dressed as a badminton player), everyday objects (fastest marathon dressed as a glass, broken by Joan Pons Laplana), scientists and plenty of mythical creatures, too.
From vampires to unicorns, here's some of the supernatural-themed costumes of the day:
- Kristina Beadle, ran as a unicorn for fastest marathon dressed as a mythical creature (female).
- Victoria Carter, who successfully broke the record for fastest marathon dressed as a vampire (female).
- Jeremie Maillard, who achieved the record for fastest marathon dressed as a mythical creature (male).
Sarah Dudgeon, who broke the fastest marathon dressed as a witch.
Curious to know their times? Here is the full list of records achieved by runners attempting a world record today:
- David Jones: Fastest marathon dressed in pyjamas (male) - 2:47:15
- David Henson: Fastest marathon wearing handcuffs (male) - 2:54:57
- Sarah Dudgeon: Fastest marathon dressed as a witch (female) - 3:11:52
- Gower Tan: Fastest marathon dressed as a scientist (male) - 3:14:16
Donato Esposito: Fastest marathon dressed as a hospital patient (male) - 3:19:23
- Andrew Roberts: Fastest marathon dressed as a badminton player (male) - 3:23:33
- Victoria Carter: Fastest marathon dressed as a vampire (female) - 3:23:48
- Jeremie Maillard: Fastest marathon dressed as a mythical creature (male) - 3:26:38
- Emanuela Pizzoni: Fastest marathon in a toga (female) - 3:27:18
Belinda Neild: Fastest marathon dressed as a stationery item (female) - 3:38:22
- Kristina Beadle: Fastest marathon dressed as a mythical creature (female) - 3:43:41
- Matt Brooks: Fastest marathon dressed as a star (male) - 3:44:00
- Martin Porter: Fastest marathon dressed as a harlequin (male) - 3:51:35
- Joan Pons Laplana: Fastest marathon dressed as a glass (male) - 3:58:52
- Tristan Clark, Freddie Flanagan, Freddie Wright, John Lavelle, George Peirson, Hugh Williams: Fastest marathon in a six-person costume - 4:25:12
- Kellie Clark: Fastest marathon dressed as a candy confectionery item (female) - 4:24:06
- Sadie Smith: Fastest marathon dressed as a three dimensional human body part (female) - 4:26:43
- Lexi Chambers: Fastest marathon in a non-racing wheelchair (female) - 4:32:11
Next year, the TCS London Marathon will return as the spring event it used to be before the pandemic.
It will take place on 23 April 2022, so make sure to check all the information here if you aim to apply.
Congratulations to all the participants of the TCS London Marathon 2022, and we can’t wait to see which records will be broken next year.
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