Break a record at a marathon

Passionate about running? Now it's your time!
Guinness World Records provides marathon runners with the chance to become official record holders at a number of events around the world:

Apply for a record

TCS London Marathon 2025

Once again, Guinness World Records and the TCS London Marathon joined forces for a day of sports and record-breaking.

This year's edition took place on Sunday, 27 April 2025, marking the 45th Anniversary of the race.

Remarkably, the historic London event kicked off its anniversary celebrations with a record-breaking number of ballot entries, smashing the record for the most ballot entries for a marathon event in history. A testament to its ever-growing popularity, the elite long-distance race attracted runners worldwide and racked up a never-seen-before 840,318 submissions.

However, the TCS London Marathon seems determined to celebrate this special anniversary in style — aiming for a second Guinness World Records title!

"We are thrilled to have broken the Guinness World Records title for the largest number of finishers in a marathon at yesterday’s TCS London Marathon," declared the CEO of London Marathon Events, Hugh Brasher. "It was a fantastic occasion to see 56,640 people cross the iconic Finish Line on The Mall throughout Marathon Day."

The previous record was set by another World Marathon Major event, when a whopping 55,646 runners crossed the finish line during the TCS New York Marathon in New York, USA.

Moreover, 51 records were set or broken during the event: discover them all here.

Did you run the TCS London Marathon 2025? Don't forget to secure your Record Participant Certificate.

If you are looking to add an extra challenge to your race by running in a costume or fundraising for a charity close to your heart, this is the perfect opportunity!

We can't wait to see what record you will break.

What are you waiting for?

Secure your spot via the marathon, apply for a record here and be part of an amazing challenge.

fastest marathon with an ileostomy pic

TCS Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS

Sydney runners, get ready to make history!

After years of record-breaking successes, Guinness World Records is partnering again with the TCS Sydney Marathon, presented by ASICS, for the marathon’s 2025 event.

In November 2024, the race joined six other world-famous Majors as the seventh star of Abbott's World Marathon Majors.

This year, the event will take place in the heart of the Australian capital on Sunday, 31 August 2025.

If you have secured your spot on the Start Line and you have applied for a record, we can't wait to see you at the Sydney Marathon 2025!

Check out our applications page.

On their website, the marathon announced that elite runner, marathon legend and multiple record holder Eliud Kipchoge will join other elite athletes on the 2025 start line.

Attempting to break a record in Sydney allows runners to add an extra challenge to the day, as they push their limits and tackle one of the most scenic marathon courses in the world. During the high-energy marathon event, you'll have the chance to put your training to the test while enjoying the view of iconic Australian landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House.

Save the date, notch up your training, and break a record at the Sydney Marathon 2025.

"Greatness is coming..."

Split header picture with adjudicator

Please note that you need to secure your spot at the event.
Marathon entries are NOT available through Guinness World Records.

BMW Berlin Marathon

The 2024 edition of the BMW Berlin Marathon marked a 50th anniversary to remember, celebrating half a century of sports excellence with a weekend crammed with record-setting achievements.

However, the world-renowned marathon has its eyes already set on the future.

Lace up your shoes and save the dates:

The 51st BMW Berlin Marathon will take place on Sunday, 21 September 2025
Registration for the Inline Skating Marathon is open until August 2025, as noted on the BMW Berlin Marathon website. If you're ready to skate your way to greatness, please remember that admissions are not available via Guinness World Records.

Loved by runners for its unique energy and picturesque course, the Berlin marathon is known as the flattest course among the seven elite running events in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Series: a 42.195 km track spanning across the city's stunning landmarks, including the iconic Brandenburg Gate.

Be it rolling on inline skates or pushing your limits on the classic track, we can't wait to see what records you'll break!

Read more about the incredible runners who smashed or set records during the BMW Berlin Marathon 2024.

So you want to break a record at a marathon...

Then you are in the right place!

However, we ask our runners to complete a few steps ahead of the race so we can properly adjudicate the attempt on marathon day.

All the required data of the runners taking part in a multiple-person Guinness World Records attempt must be submitted to the Guinness World Records team before the provided deadline.

Required data include:

full name
email
date of birth
gender
record attempted
predicted finishing time
photograph of the proposed costume

Please note that we will only accept respectful costumes.

On the day of the event, if your attempt and costume have been approved, you will be notified on how to meet the Guinness World Records team for a costume check before your race begins.

For each marathon event, an adjudicator will be at the finish line to tell you whether you have successfully achieved the record you are attempting.

This is usually a paid-for service.

However, for these special occasions, the verification will be carried out for free.

Please note that in order to apply for a record, you must have secured a spot at your chosen marathon.

Spots for the marathon event are NOT available via Guinness World Records.

Getting ready for a marathon?

Check out our costume guidelines and criteria, and make sure that your costume is ready for the big day:

guidelines for costume marathons

An official Guinness World Records attempt is a great way of enhancing your marathon experience, with the option of raising awareness and money for charity.

Join all the runners who have broken marathon records worldwide in the past editions. Who knows, you might make history!

Ongoing application deadlines:

TCS Sydney Marathon 2025: 15 July 2025, 17:00 BST

BMW Berlin Marathon 2025: 29 July 2025, 17:00 BST

How to apply

For your application to be considered, you will need to include the following:

A record title and full description of the Guinness World Records attempt
You must include a photograph of your proposed costume with the application
A projected finish time in your costume of choice, so that runners can be assigned to the correct entry wave
Dimensions of the costume or object that is to be worn or carried (including height, width, depth and weight)
Applicant’s unique running number allocated via ballot-place confirmation, through a charity or other guaranteed means of entry
Projected finish time in the costume you want to wear
Should your application be successful, you will be asked to submit a complete biography form. We request a biography so that a complete profile is available of each runner for our own channels and media use
If the record title you wish to run for doesn’t exist on our website, you can suggest a new title. Please note that runners will not be charged the £5 fee as stated at the beginning of the process. If you have any questions, please make a new application with your proposed title and image of the costume for our records manager to review

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