Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon saw a host of new world records set after more than 37,000 runners took on the 26.2 mile course.
Guinness World Records, partnered with the Virgin Money London Marathon for the eighth successive year to provide on-the-spot record verification to over 100 runners at this year’s race.
We can confirm that a total of 34 new world records were achieved.
Fresh from winning the Greater Manchester Marathon the week before, Paul Martelletti was the first runner to record a Guinness World Records title, after setting a new benchmark for the fastest marathon dressed as a superhero.
Wearing a Spider-Man outfit, Paul completed the race in an incredible 2:30:12, the fastest time anyone has completed the London Marathon while wearing a costume.
Commenting on his achievement, Paul said “It was incredible, for a moment I thought I wasn’t going to make it, but I just wanted to break this world record”.
Elsewhere, Major Iain Church, a bomb-disposal expert, braved the heat to set a new record for fastest marathon in a bomb disposal suit in a time of 6.28.06, bettering the previous record by over 25 mintures, Ian, who was running to support the Royal British Legion charity said: “I am so happy to achieve a Guinness World Records title, it means so much”.
“I have managed to raise over £8,000 for British Legion. The race was so tough; I cramped up at 20 miles and had to have a rest but managed to carry on”.
Meanwhile, Jerry Knox from Los Angeles, slamdunked a new benchmark for fastest marathon dribbling two basketballs with an impressive time of 4.10.44.
“Speaking on the finish line, Jerry said: “My son read in the Guinness World Records book that someone had a world record for dribbling two basketballs and he was like, hey dad you could beat him, and I did!”
The men’s elite runners race saw Wilson Kipsang and Dennis Kimetto unable to match their past record-breaking feats in their much-anticipated showdown, with the pair finishing second and third respectively behind fellow countryman Eliud Kipchoge for a Kenyan one-two-three.
The women's race was won by Ethiopia's Tigist Tufa, who broke clear to finish in 2:23:22, 18 seconds in front of Kenya's two-time London winner Mary Keitany.
There were emotional scenes as Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, holder of the record for Fastest marathon (women), crossed the London Marathon finish line for the final time ahead of drawing the curtain on her illustrious running career.
It was just amazing the whole way round," the 41-year-old said.
"I wore the sunglasses to keep a lid on my emotions and they definitely hid some tears along the way," she added.
Radcliffe, 41, won the London Marathon in 2002, 2003 and 2005, and her 2003 winning time of 2:15:25 remains unsurpassed.
For a full recap of the day’s action, check out the now closed live blog, which gave updates from the many record attempts as they happened. You can also view a full list of record holders on the day at the foot of the page.
In full - All 34 records set at the Virgin Money London Marathon 2015:
Fastest marathon dressed as a three dimensional bird
5:50:08
Bob Johnson
Fastest marathon in a four-person costume
6.23.03
Andy Newman, David Newman, Ian Newman and Neil Hendy
Fastest marathon in a bomb disposal suit
6.28.06
Iain Church
Fastest marathon carrying an 80-lb pack
5.53.20
Marc Jenner
Fastest marathon dressed as a musical instrument as a Guitar
4.26.12
Thomas Jones
Fastest marathon dressed as a telephone box
4.33.56
Ric Nardi
Fastest marathon carrying a 40-lb pack (female)
4.34.42
Eva Clarke
Fastest marathon three-legged (female)
4.45.21
Debbie Leeland and Paula Marshall
Fastest marathon dressed as a chef
4.47.51
Stephen Roach
Fastest marathon dressed as a fruit, as a Strawberry
4.13.24
Elizabeth King
Fastest marathon in a three-person costume
4.56.24
Andy Church, Laura Jones and Hear Smith
Fastest marathon dressed as a Superhero
2.30.12
Paul Martelletti as Spider-Man
Fastest marathon in a nurse’s uniform
2.46.48
Neil Casey (UK)
Fastest marathon dressed as a lifeguard
2.55.54
Terry Midgley
Fastest marathon carrying a 20lb pack
2.56.39
Mike Ellicock (UK)
Fastest marathon dressed as a leprechaun
2.59.30
Adam Jones (UK)
Fastest marathon dressed in a nurse’s uniform (female)
3.08.54
Sarah Dudgeon
Fastest marathon dressed as a videogame character as Sonic The Hedgehog
3.09.28
Neil Light
Fastest marathon dressed as a doctor
3.13.23
Victoria Carter
Fastest marathon in a cricket uniform
3.20.46
Subhashis Basu
Fastest marathon dressed in a graduation gown
3.32.08
Kelly Murphy
Fastest marathon wearing a wetsuit
3.19.41
Chris Taylor
Fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean
3.34.23
Giles Lock
Fastest marathon dressed as a whoopee cushion
3.38.15
David Smith
Fastest marathon dressed as a mascot
3.42.12
Andy Nice
Fastest marathon dressed as a monk
3.27.17
Ian Young
Fastest marathon dressed as a plant
3.47.55
Andrew Smith
Fastest marathon dressed as a love heart
3.18.23
Jennifer Sangster
Fastest marathon dressed as a tool as a Tape Measure
3.49.45
Terry Bradbury
Fastest marathon dressed as an elf
3.54.05
Andrew Shenton
Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card
4.05.30
Karen Irons-McLean
Fastest marathon dribbling two basketballs
4.10.44
Jerry Knox
Fastest marathon dressed as a boxer
3.08.00
Joe Elliott
Fastest marathon dressed as a musical instrument as a Guitar
4.26.12
Thomas Jones
Fastest marathon in a sleeping bag
4.20.21
Michael Mercer
