Marathon proves a record-breaker

THE 2024 London Marathon saw 44 Guinness World Records broken, including for the fastest marathon dressed in an inflatable costume.

Kenya’s Peres Jepchirchir may have stolen the headlines by setting a new women’s-only world record yesterday, but she was not the only record breaker in the race.

Amateur runners also set records, from the fastest marathon dressed as a scientist to the fastest for someone with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Jono Astle, 31, from Battersea, secured the fastest marathon for someone with MS, raising more than £20,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Mr Astle, who ran the race in three hours, 10 minutes and 50 seconds, thanked the “amazing” crowds and said he was buoyed by notifications coming through on his phone while running.

Lee Baynton, 39, from Essex, clocked the fastest-ever marathon in an inflatable costume, at three hours, 21 minutes and seven seconds, while raising money for a local hospice.

Running in a costume can be sweaty work, said Portadown man Stephen Cochrane, 36, who broke the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon dressed as a scientist.

Sam Hull, 44, from Bromham, ran in memory of his father, who died in August last year, raising funds for Sue Ryder in recognition of all the support his family received.

Mr Hull, who previously broke the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon dressed in school uniform, this time secured the world record for fastest marathon dressed as a tennis player.

On the finish line, he told the PA news agency: “Sue Ryder provide care towards people’s lives, and the carers were just absolutely amazing with my dad, and my family really appreciates their support.”

Mr Hull chose the tennis player record as he is a tennis coach.

THEY’RE OFF: A handful of the runners in yesterday’s London Marathon – many of whom broke costume records.