London Marathon 2019: Meet the runners hoping to set record-breaking times – Guinness World Records

A total of 95 runners will attempt 84 Guinness World Records titles between them when they line up at the start line of the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon.

2019 marks the 12th year that Guinness World Records has collaborated with London Marathon organisers to provide the most creative and inspirational fun runners a chance of securing a coveted title.

Records being attempted this year include the fastest marathon dressed as a tent, fastest marathon dressed as a landmark, and fastest marathon in a six-person costume.

Among our runners are Harry Vowles and Tom and Harriet Woolley who are attempting very different records for very different reasons.

Harry Vowles

Harry is attempting the record for fastest marathon dressed as a three-dimensional animal (male), and will be sporting one of the the iconic Save the Rhino rhinoceros costumes.

The 25-year-old was inspired to run for the charity after visiting Kenya twice and learning how rapidly rhino species are declining.

“I saw the rhinos and absolutely fell in love with them,” he explained.

Having not run a full marathon yet, Harry has given himself an extra challenge by running in the costume, which adds an extra 10 kg of weight and does not offer great maneuverability.

“The first challenge is going to be completing the distance, getting myself fit enough to do the 26 miles. Previously I’ve only run half marathon events, this will be my first marathon.”

However the restrictive costume and daunting task hasn’t deterred Harry from his goal.

“I’m incredibly excited, I’m loving the training and cannot wait for the day.”

Tom and Harriet Woolley

Siblings Tom and Harriet Woolley, aged 39 and 30 respectively, hadn’t thought about breaking a record until they were discussing it over Sunday lunch, and decided to try and get their name in the Guinness World Records book.

After looking on our records database to see what records they could break, the fastest marathon by a mixed pair of siblings caught their eye.

Both already signed up, they decided to try to break the record at London Marathon 2019.

The pair are keen runners and no strangers to marathons; this year is Tom’s third and Harriet’s fourth.

“Hopefully the weather will be kind [and] our training will go to plan.”

Despite Tom suffering from a stress fracture earlier on in his marathon training, both are stepping up their regime in a bid to secure their record title.

“I’m trying to do about 50 to 60 miles a week,” Harriet said, “and I try and do a couple of recovery runs. Monday will be a nice easy recovery run… usually with the dog.”

Despite their impressive training regime, the siblings are not professional runners.

“We’re not pro athletes. We love running, but it’s more of a hobby. We’ve both got full time jobs and we fit running in when we can” – Tom

Though the record is based on their aggregated time, age-old sibling rivalry means the two will be pushing themselves to be the first to cross the finish line.

“Unfortunately, without a doubt Tom is going to cross the line first… he doesn’t like to lose!” Harriet admitted.

“I think we’ll see” Tom continued, “the plan is to try and run together”.

The London Marathon offers a unique opportunity for runners to receive instant record verification at the finish line, so Harry, Tom and Harriet (as well as our other runners!) can have their record confirmed just seconds after crossing the finish line.

A team of Guinness World Records adjudicators will be on hand to check costumes, verify times and confirm successful runners as official title holders, earning them a coveted place in the Guinness World Records 2020 book.

Make sure to look out for all our runners attempting official records at the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon:

Fastest marathon dressed as a shoe (male)
Fastest marathon dressed in a classic brownie uniform (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a stationary item (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a golfer (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a zombie (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a mythical creature (male)
Fastest marathon in scout uniform (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a fairy tale character (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a Christmas tree (male)
Fastest marathon carrying an ironing board and iron (male)
Fastest marathon run by a pair of siblings (mixed pair)
Fastest marathon in a four-person costume
Fastest marathon dressed as a mummy (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a love heart (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a landmark building (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a caveman (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a videogame character (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a car (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a tooth (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a postman (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as an item of cutlery (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a snowboarder (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a toiletry item (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as an egg (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a glass (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a music player (male)
Fastest marathon wearing ski boots (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a three dimensional animal (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a tree (male)
Fastest marathon dressed in a football/soccer kit (male)
Fastest marathon wearing handcuffs
Fastest marathon in a sleeping bag (male)
Fastest marathon in a military dress uniform (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a fruit (female)
Fastest marathon dressed in a tent (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a referee (female)
Fastest marathon in a three person costume
Fastest marathon dressed as a dragon (male)
Most t-shirts worn during a marathon (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a candy confectionery item (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a cavewoman (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a nut (female)
Fastest marathon in a highland dress (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a doctor (male)
Fastest marathon dressed in an ice hockey kit (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a skeleton (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as an emoji (male)
Fastest marathon in a six person costume
Fastest marathon dressed as a hospital patient (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a scientist (male)
Fastest marathon in a full body animal costume (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as harlequin (male)
Fastest marathon dressed in a flight suit (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a robot (male)
Fastest marathon in a film character costume (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a post box (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as an astronomical body (male)
Fastest marathon in a wedding dress (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a DNA double helix (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a chef (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a chef (male)
Fastest marathon in a field hockey goalkeeper kit (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as an awareness ribbon (male)
Fastest marathon dressed as a scientist (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as Elvis (female)
Fastest marathon dressed as a nun (male)
Fastest marathon with two runners handcuffed together (mixed)
Fastest marathon wearing ice skates