If the 2025 TCS London Marathon felt a little more extra this year, that’s because it was — in world records, weird costumes, and raw emotion.
While the headlines understandably focused on Tigst Assefa’s record-setting win in the women’s elite race, she was just one of 42 people who walked (or waddled or sprinted or shuffled) away from the London course with a shiny new Guinness World Record.
From Crocs to unicorns, penguin suits to 52 pairs of underpants, it was as much a celebration of joyful absurdity as it was elite athleticism.
Oh, and the race also quietly broke another record: with 56,649 finishers, it became the largest marathon ever recorded, topping New York’s 2024 mark by just over 1,000 runners.
Tigst Assefa Rewrites the Record Books — Again
Former world record holder Tigst Assefa came into London with a target on her back and left with history under her feet.
Her time of 2:15:50 wasn’t just enough to win — it set a new women-only marathon world record, shaving 26 seconds off the mark set by Peres Jepchirchir at last year’s London race.
In sweltering 22°C (71°F) heat, Assefa pulled away around the 40K mark and never looked back. With the Olympics looming, it was a statement performance — and a reminder that the women’s marathon ceiling keeps getting higher.
Kenya’s Sabastian Sawe also took a commanding win on the men’s side, clocking 2:02:27 after surging ahead solo for the final 10K.
World Records, But Make It Weird
Let’s talk about the real stars of the day: the record-breakers in Crocs, rhino suits, unicorn outfits, and everything in between. According to Guinness World Records, 42 titles were officially claimed on Sunday. Here are some of the most eye-catching:
- Fastest marathon in foam clogs: Running coach Tommy Trees ditched the high-tech supershoes and put his Crocs in sport mode instead — and somehow still finished in 2:49:54. Yes, seriously.
- Most underpants worn during a marathon: Jason Burbury layered up with 52 pairs and ran the full 26.2 like that. Chafing prevention advice, anyone?
- Fastest aggregate time to finish all World Marathon Majors with a stoma (female): BBC presenter Adele Roberts capped her global tour with a powerful finish, clocking 20:29:58 across all six majors. Diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021, Roberts called the achievement “lovely” and said she hoped it would inspire others facing similar battles.
“With every step, even though it hurt, I just thought ‘you’re alive, you’re lucky to be experiencing this,’” she said at the finish.
- Most marathons run in the same 3D costume: Chris “Rhino Boy” Green logged marathon #113 in his now-iconic rhino suit, a heavy grey setup complete with horn. He’s been running in it since 2009 to raise awareness for rhino conservation. “I’d love to retire,” he said, “but the rhino still needs saving.”
- Fastest marathon dressed as a bird (female): Ali Young finished in 3:26:37 wearing a black-and-white penguin costume. She even trained in a sauna to prepare for the heat.
- Fastest marathon dressed as a 3D plant (male): Dr. Martin Pritchard-Howarth — a.k.a. “the sunflower guy” — raised money for the disability charity Scope while setting this delightfully niche record.
- Fastest marathon dressed as a mythical creature (male): Adam Cotterill ran in full unicorn regalia to support his local maternity ward. “My daughters picked the outfit,” he told reporters. “They’re unicorn-mad.”
Other new records included:
- Fastest marathon dressed as a reptile (female): Mandy Leach
- Fastest marathon dressed as a cell (female): Melanie Bailey
- Fastest marathon in a suit (male): Soh Rui Yong
- Fastest marathon in a ten-person costume: Marcela Bell & Team
More Than Just Numbers
The race also raised an estimated £66 million for charity, with runners supporting causes ranging from cancer treatment and disability rights to climate change and maternal care.
Over 800,000 spectators lined the streets. The mix of cheers, cowbells, and club support zones turned central London into a 26.2-mile-long party, one where every runner had a story worth telling.
And that’s the beauty of the London Marathon: it’s elite sport and feel-good chaos all in one. A unicorn trots past a world champion. A man in 52 pairs of underpants crosses the finish line next to a cancer survivor in Crocs.
It’s weird, wonderful, and utterly human.
