All the records broken at the TCS Sydney Marathon 2024

Marathon days are always a vibrant occurrence at the Guinness World Records headquarters: fun costumes meet exciting running achievements, as ambitious runners put their month-long training to the test.

Breaking a record at a marathon also offers the perfect chance to shine a light on a cause close to their hearts or, perhaps, to add an extra challenge to their race in the hope of seizing a coveted Guinness World Records certificate.

It was with high spirits and great expectations that on Sunday, 15 September 2024, Guinness World Records partnered up with the TCS Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS (TCSSM) for the first time since 2019.

Like every year, the event attracted a wide array of participants.

A massive crowd of over 40,000 runners from over 100 countries was expected for the running event, from elite runners to sports enthusiasts eager to test their endurance.

Out of them, five athletes aimed to end the day with a new record title under their belt, marking an exciting return for the Australian capital to world-record territory.

Fastest marathon dressed as a Roman soldier

The five runners attempting the ambitious feat found official Guinness World Records Adjudicator Brian Sobel waiting for them at the finish line.

The runners faced the challenge bravely, completing a course that unravelled across some iconic landmarks (such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge) and arriving at the Sydney Opera House.

Read on to discover some of the highlights of the day.

Fastest marathon by a set of twins (female)

Fraternal twins Marichris and Kimberley Vincent are in it to win it! 

The 35-year-old duo from Canberra, Australia, ran the fastest marathon by a set of twins (female) with an aggregate time of 8 hr 19 min 08 sec.

They pushed their boundaries and completed the marathon together to beat their previous best time, set in the 2023 Gold Coast Marathon, and inspire others that everything is possible.

"We have chosen to participate in the TCS Sydney Marathon to inspire others to run and to demonstrate that with perseverance, resilience, and determination, you can overcome challenges and achieve your dreams," they explained.

Prior to the race, Marichris and Kimberley also set up GoFundMe pages and aim to donate to charities close to their hearts, supporting both the Smith Family Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  

This was the twins' third Sydney marathon and their second record attempt overall.

The duo aimed to improve their previous record, which was achieved after they ran the fastest half marathon by a set of twins (female) during the Canberra Times Marathon Festival Half Marathon, in April 2024.

"Completing the TCS Sydney Marathon and setting a new Guinness World Records title would be a dream come true for us," the twins say.

Unfortunately, last year, both Marichris and Kimberley were involved in a skiing accident that threatened their race.

"In July 2023, only three weeks after completing the Gold Coast Marathon, we were both involved in skiing accidents within fifteen minutes of each other," they explain.

"As a result, both of us tore our left ACLs with some minor fractures to the knees."

Initially, they were afraid that the injury would force them to stop, but they powered through the setback and achieved the coveted world record.

"However, thanks to the expertise of a skilled knee surgeon, we were guided toward conservative rehabilitation through physiotherapy and strength training. After several months of hard work and recovery, we were given the all-clear to return to running and have each completed ten running events since then."

Fastest marathon dressed as a ninja (male)

Ninja Nurse Duncan McKechnie welcomed the challenge of the Sydney Marathon as a unique experience that would become, in the future, a brilliant conversation topic with his patients. 

The 51-year-old Sydney resident broke the record for the fastest marathon dressed as a ninja (male) with a time of 03 hr 07 min 56 sec.

The previous record was achieved by Masakazu Konno (USA) in September 2023.

Konno, who already completed the fastest marathon dressed in a suit and dress shoes during the TCS London Marathon 2023, broke the record at last year's BMW Berlin Marathon and crossed the finish line after 3 hr 23 min 42 sec.

"Who has never dreamt of being a ninja, at some point in their lives? An honourable, mythical character that can achieve many feats," Duncan says about his costume.

A marathon veteran, Duncan has completed over 20 races, including ultramarathons, and achieved his best time during the Canberra Marathon in 2021, completing it in only 2 hrs 57 min.

He was determined to add a Guinness World Records title to his triumphs. "To be featured in the book would be absolutely thrilling, and a story that I will use with my patients until I retire," Duncan says.

However, he also stresses that his main reason to attempt the record was to enjoy "the fun and the experience".

"It will be a good story to tell my brain injury patients at Royal Rehab," he carries on. "And it's all in good fun: even if I do not achieve the record, at least I tried."

When he's not breaking records, Duncan works as a registered nurse in the brain injury unit at the Royal Rehab Hospital Sydney, a not-for-profit rehabilitation hospital.

He participated in charity runs for the hospital, in the past, and this year he tackled the Sydney marathon to shine a light on the work the hospital does for its patients and the community. 

"I run for enjoyment, so I do not train per se," Duncan explained.

"I just ensure I can run for about 32 km in one session, and I do that a few times before a marathon," the runner continues. "Also, I like to cycle and swim when I can."

When he's not training, Duncan loves to spend time with his wife and three children - who, on marathon day, cheered for their dad from the finish line.

The Riddle, aka Tim Shakespeare: Fastest marathon dressed as a supervillain

Congratulations to all the runners who participated in the TCS Sydney Marathon 2024.

We can't wait to see the amazing records that will be broken next year. In the meantime, look out for the upcoming BMW Berlin Marathon 2024 for more awesome costumes and amazing feats.