GWR Day reaches new heights as record breakers take to roof of iconic London venue The O2
History was made on the roof of iconic London venue The O2 as three world records were broken to mark a very special occasion.
Today is the 21st annual Guinness World Records Day – a day for us and our fans around the globe to celebrate all the things that make us unique.
This year, more than ever, we asked you to Be Part Of It, and you’ve certainly been delivering.
And for GWR Day 2025, three of our amazing record breakers took on roofwalk attraction Up at The O2 to break records with a 360-degree view of the London skyline, 170 ft (52 m) up in the air.
Josh Patterson
The venue was an extra special one as it’s going to be the home of our brand-new UK entertainment venue.
But we’ll tell you more about that later. For now, let’s recap all the action from the rooftop.
Made in Chelsea star and super fit record breaker Josh Patterson (UK) became the first ever person to take on the challenge for fastest time to climb and descend The O2.
No one had ever taken on this challenge involving The O2’s iconic roof before, and Josh had to do it in under 10 minutes in order to claim the title.
Climbing one side as fast as he could, sprinting across the roof and rushing back down the other side, Josh did it in just 4 min 40.79 sec.
The reality star said: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be the first person to attempt this record at The O2 for Guinness World Records Day. I hope by doing this I can inspire someone to be part of it, doing something unique, it can be big, it can be small, just take something on, no matter the outcome and be proud.”
Josh already held the record for highest altitude reached by marathon distance run (male) at 6,008 m (19,711 ft).
Jodie Ounsley (UK), aka Fury from the TV show Gladiators was up next to put her strength to the test.
With a whopping total of 360 kg (793.66 lb), she broke the record for most weight moved by sandbag carry in one minute (female).
She beat the minimum by an incredible 160 kg (352.74 lb) and hopes her record will empower other young female athletes to chase their own goals, no matter how impossible they may seem.
Jodie Ounsley
Jodie already held the record for fastest 50 m carrying a coal bag (female) with 8.06 sec.
Read about more amazing physical feats in our Sports and Fitness section.
Last, but certainly not least, was British gymnastics champion Lucie Colebeck.
Flipping around the roof of The O2, she claimed the record for most standing backwards somersaults in 30 seconds (female) with an impressive total of 17.
Since retiring from competitive gymnastics, she’s continued to push and challenge herself.
She first broke a record while starring in Cirque du Soleil at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2024. She claimed the most back handsprings on a trampoline in 30 seconds (female) with a total of 36.
In January this year, she appeared on our Italian programme Lo Show dei Record to snatch the title of most back handsprings on a trampoline in one minute with a total of 63.
Lucie Colebeck
Overseeing all the action on top of The O2 was Guinness World Records Adjudicator Will Munford.
He said: “This year we are encouraging everyone to be part of Guinness World Records Day, no matter what your passion or skill, there is a record to be broken. Seeing all the records from around the world this year, from football to human body feats, it shows the range of records but all with the same goal, to do their best and inspire others to do the same.
"With our first permanent entertainment venue coming to The O2 in late 2026, it's your chance to have a go and potentially walk away a record breaker.”
Now, back to our brand-new venue that we promised to tell you more about…
Guinness World Records: London is coming to The O2 in late 2026.
Covering 25,000 square feet, it’ll be the place to be for hopeful record breakers of all ages.
The attraction will offer more than 50 official Guinness World Records challenges across six action-packed zones.
That means guests of all ages and abilities will be able to put their skills to the test and potentially walk away a record holder.
The venue will also feature interactive exhibits, themed food and drink, and a dedicated retail space offering record-inspired merchandise.
Guinness World Records: London will join a vibrant entertainment and leisure line-up at The O2, offering visitors a truly one-of-a-kind experience that celebrates the best of human achievement.