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The 2026 TCS London Marathon will not only be about elite athletes, personal bests, and charity fundraising.
On Sunday 26 April, Guinness World Records will return to one of the biggest days in the athletics calendar for the 19th consecutive year, with official adjudicators stationed at the finish line to verify a wide range of record attempts across one of the world’s most recognisable mass-participation races.
This year, 76 participants are set to attempt 73 Guinness World Records titles, adding another layer of colour, purpose and unpredictability to marathon day.
Here are some of the standout record attempts to follow at the 2026 London Marathon.
Cancer survivor Arnie Delstanche returns in a full-body inflatable T-Rex costume
Arnie Delstanche will bring one of the most eye-catching attempts of the day to London as he runs in a full-body inflatable T-Rex costume.
The 29-year-old is attempting the fastest marathon in a full-body inflatable costume by a male, with a time of 4 hours, 7 minutes and 46 seconds to beat. He is already the current record holder in the category and will return to the London Marathon aiming to improve his own mark.
Delstanche was treated for cancer at the age of 20, an experience that has shaped the physical challenges he has taken on since. He will run for Cancer Research UK and hopes to show how endurance sport can become part of rebuilding strength, confidence and ambition after illness.
Jennifer Ferris targets double mastectomy marathon record
Jennifer Ferris will attempt the fastest marathon with a double mastectomy by a female, with a time of 4:33:11 to beat.
Ferris, 40, was diagnosed with aggressive stage-three breast cancer in 2022 before undergoing months of treatment and a double mastectomy. Now, she returns to marathon running with a Guinness World Records title attempt that carries a clear message about life after diagnosis.
Running for Breast Cancer Now, Ferris hopes her attempt will show that recovery can include ambition as well as survival.
Matthew Itoro Akpan continues record-breaking journey
Matthew Itoro Akpan is no stranger to Guinness World Records attempts.
The 37-year-old from Leeds has already achieved five titles across endurance challenges and will now attempt the fastest marathon by a male in the II1 category, with a time of 3:36:38 to beat.
The II1 classification is for athletes with an intellectual impairment, including neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, which may affect cognitive processing, communication or adaptive functioning.
Akpan, who was diagnosed as autistic in 2013, uses sport to raise awareness of neurodiversity and support different causes. He has turned record attempts into an annual tradition in memory of his late father, who died from kidney failure.
This year, he will run for the National Autistic Society.
Mark Goulder to run blindfolded and tethered
Mark Goulder will attempt the fastest marathon blindfolded and tethered by a male, with a target time of 3:20:00.
The 35-year-old will run alongside his guide and close friend Alex in a challenge built around trust, teamwork and communication.
Goulder’s attempt is inspired by his younger brother Bobby, who was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease, a rare condition that causes progressive vision loss. By running for the Royal Society of Blind Children, Goulder hopes to raise awareness of visual impairment and accessibility in sport.
Simon Fannon to knit a scarf while running the marathon
Among the more unusual attempts in London will be Simon Fannon’s bid to knit the longest scarf while running a marathon.
The minimum mark to beat is 3.70 metres.
Fannon, a builder and former Royal Marines Commando, will combine endurance running with a creative skill that has already taken him to television, after appearing on Channel 4’s Game of Wool: Britain’s Best Knitter.
He will run for REORG and the Huntington’s Disease Association, with the latter cause especially personal after his mother’s diagnosis with Huntington’s disease.
read more: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/london-marathon-2026-guinness-world-records-attempts
