TORONTO July 16th 2015

Are YOU up for a Guinness World Record at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon? It’s everyone’s chance for marathon glory!

Fancy your chances as the world’s fastest marathon in a Superhero outfit? Or the fastest “joggling 3 objects”? What about in a baseball or lacrosse uniform? GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS is offering YOU a unique opportunity to become an official record holder on October 18^th, at Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. It’s another great reason to run a marathon, and glory awaits you!

It’s an opportunity to everyone who toes the Start line. “The wonderful thing about GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS is that they literally give everyone a chance to be a record holder,” says Race Director Alan Brookes. “I think we’ve built a reputation for record-setting and we’ve built quite a fondness for GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS along the way.”

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon’s record setting run began in 2004 when Beaches resident, Michal Kapral set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement of  2:49:44 for the “Fastest Marathon While Pushing a Pram” with daughter Annika on board. Michal returned in 2005 to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for “joggling” – running 3:07:49 while juggling 3 balls the whole way! Instantly, a new sport was born and some great contests against Boston’s Zach Warren followed. Zach captured the record in Philadelphia in late 2005 and bettered it in 2006, before Michal reclaimed it on Toronto’s Waterfront in 2007 with a fabulous 2:50:12, which still stands today.

Since then, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon has seen a wonderful assortment of GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievements. Jefferson the Dog set a mark for the “Fastest Marathon as a Mascot” [4:16] in 2010. Stephane Hetherington ran a very impressive 2:33:58 to set a new record for “Fastest Marathon in a Superhero Costume” in 2012. Maple Leafs fan Paul Statchuk has set truly Canadian records, first with the “Fastest Marathon in a full Hockey Kit (including stick)” in 2012 [4:08:43]; then with “Fastest Marathon in a Lacrosse Uniform” in 2013 [3:46:48].

Last October, Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon runners set no less than FIVE new records, highlighted by Lindsay Santagato, Bridget Burns and Jeremiah Sacay. Lindsay ran the 42k in full firefighter uniform, including the 45lb oxygen tank and full bunker suit, to set a record of 5:38:51. She was inspired and driven the whole way by running in memory of her brother Ryan who died of acute liver failure in 2009 at just 20 years old; and Lindsay ran to raise funds for the Canadian Liver Foundation as well as the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. Bridget represented High Park Zoo to clock 4:08:17 and the fastest marathon dressed as a Zookeeper. She broke the record while also carrying around a bag of stuffed animals to give out to spectators along the course! Jeremiah represented his favourite Toronto Blue Jays to set a new record in a baseball uniform [3:47:45].

In addition to solidifying your spot in GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS history, those attempting a new record will also be in the running for one of Scotiabank’s “Best Costume” Awards. Winners will take home cash prizes for their charities, as well as glory and lots of great media exposure!

“The marathon is just such a wonderful community festival,” says Brookes. “It’s about joy, achievement, and celebration. There is so much energy and excitement; and the record-setting runners, the costume and charity runners are a vital part of this. Fellow-runners and spectators alike love the atmosphere they bring. We hope to see lots of runners chasing a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title this year, and going the distance for their charities in fun costumes”.

If you’d like to be part of record-breaking history this year, please email press@guinnessworldrecords.com  and jenna@canadarunningseries.com no later than September 1, 2015.

Please note that GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS participants must be entered in the STWM event (REGISTER TODAY) before registering online at www.guinnessworldrecords.com

APPENDIX. Complete List of Current Guinness World Records for the Marathon [as of August 24, 2014]. Some records may be faster than time listed below. Stay tuned for updated list. 

Fastest marathon by a mascot – Male – 3 hr 51 min 50 sec; Female – 4 hr 02 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon in military desert uniform – Male – 3 hr 50 min 31 sec
Fastest marathon as an insect – Male — 3 hr 32 min 41 sec; Female – 3 hr 24 min 10 sec
Fastest marathon backwards on inline skates – Male — 1 hr 39 min 59 sec
Fastest marathon barefoot – Male – 2 hr 15 min 16.2 sec; Female – 2 hr 29 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon by a linked team – Male — 2 hr 55 min 24 sec
Fastest marathon by a marching band – 6 hr 56 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon carrying a 20-lb pack – Male – 3 hr 12 min 29 sec;
Female — 5 hr 07 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon carrying a 40-lb pack – Male — 3 hr 25 min 21 sec
Fastest marathon carrying a 60-lb pack – Male — 4 hr 39 min 9 sec
Fastest marathon carrying an 80-lb pack – Male — 5 hr 58 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a baby – Male — 2 hr 51 min 18 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a book character – Male — 2 hr 42 min 17 sec;
Female – 3 hr 39 min 49 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a bottle – Male – 3 hr 31 min 57 sec;
Female – 4 hr 54 min 36 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a boxer – Male — 3 hr 35 min 34 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a cartoon character – Male — 2 hr 46 min 40 sec;
Female — 3 hr 28 min 26 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a clown – Male — 2 hr 50 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a commercial brand character
Fastest marathon dressed as a cowboy – Male — 3 hr 09 min 09 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean – Male – 3 hr 55 min 13 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a dairy product – Male — 3 hr 09 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a doctor — Male – 2 hr 53 min 11 sec;
Female – 3 hr 54 min 06 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a fairy – Male — 2 hr 49 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a fruit – Male – 2 hr 58 min 20 sec;
Female – 4 hr 32 min 28 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a gingerbread man — Male — 3 hr 42 min 20 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a golfer – Male – 3 hr 10 min 4 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a jester – Male – 3 hr 1 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a jockey – Male – 3 hr 08 min 30 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a leprechaun – Male – 3 hr 09 min 40 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a lifeguard – Male — 3 hr 00 min 01 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a logo – Male — 3 hr 37 min 14 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a love heart – Male — 3 hr 28 min 21 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a monk – Male — 3 hr 29 min 32 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a Mr. Potato Head – Male – 3 hr 38 min 20 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a nun – Male — 3 hr 17 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a nut – Male – 4 hr 29 min 36 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a playing card — Female — 4 hr 23 min 57 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a postman – Male — 3 hr 47 min 35 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a Roman soldier – Male — 2 hr 57 min
Fastest marathon dressed as a sailor – Male — 2 hr 52 min 32 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a shoe – Female — 4 hr 40 min 56 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a star – Male — 4 hr 46 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a sumo wrestler – Male — 3 hr 51 min 54 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a tap/faucet – Male — 3 hr 52 min 09 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a telephone box – Male — 5 hr 54 min 52 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a television character — Male — 2 hr 49 min 51 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a toilet – Male — 2 hr 57 min 28 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a vegetable – Male — 2 hr 59 min 33 sec;
Female — 3 hr 47 min 15 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a videogame character – Male — 3 hr 29 min 41 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a Viking – Male — 3 hr 12 min 11 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as a waiter – Male — 2 hr 47 min
Fastest marathon dressed as a zombie – Male — 3 hr 18 min 38 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as an astronaut – Male — 3 hr 08 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as an organ — Male — 3 hr 36 min 42 sec;
Female — 3 hr 52 min 02 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as Elvis – Male — 2 hr 42 min 52 sec
Fastest marathon dressed as Santa Claus – Male — 2 hr 55 min 50 sec;
Female — 3 hr 43 min 20 sec
Fastest marathon dressed in an ice hockey – Male — 4 hr 8 min 43 sec
Fastest marathon dribbling a basketball – Male — 3 hr 23 min 42 sec;
Female — 4 hr 28 min 11 sec
Fastest marathon dribbling a football – Male — 3 hr 29 min 55 sec
Fastest marathon dribbling two basketballs – Male — 4 hr 39 min 12 sec
Fastest marathon flipping a pancake – Male — 3 hr 2 min 27 sec
Fastest marathon in a bomb disposal suit Male — 6 hr 55 min 59 sec
Fastest marathon in a fireman’s uniform – Male — 4 hr 39 min 13 sec
Fastest marathon in a four-person costume — 6 hr 29 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon in a full-body animal costume – Male — 3 hr 31 min 36 sec
Fastest marathon in a lacrosse kit – Male — 3 hr 46 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon in a martial arts suit – Male — 3 hr 21 min 31 sec;
Female – 3 hr 30 min 14 sec
Fastest marathon in a military dress uniform – Male — 3 hr 47 min 14 sec
Fastest marathon in a nurse’s uniform — Male — 2 hr 48 min 24 sec;
Female — 3 hr 13 min 58 sec
Fastest marathon in a police uniform – Male — 3 hr 09 min 52 sec
Fastest marathon in a straitjacket – Male — 3 hr 49 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon in a suit – Male — 2 hr 58 min 03 sec
Fastest marathon in a two-person pantomime costume – Male — 4 hr 49 min 18 sec
Fastest marathon in a wedding dress – Male — 3 hr 00 min 54 sec;
Female — 3 hr 16 min 44 sec
Fastest marathon in an American football kit – Male — 3hr 45 min 30 sec
Fastest marathon in an animal – Male — 2 hr 48 min 29 sec;
Female – 3 hr 18 min 09 sec
Fastest marathon in cricket uniform – Male — 4 hr 16 min 21 sec
Fastest marathon in film character costume – Male — 2 hr 42 min 52 sec;
Female — 3 hr 53 min 40 sec
Fastest marathon in full military uniform – Male — 3 hr 49 min 21 sec;
Female — 4 hr 54 min 15 sec
Fastest marathon in school uniform – Male — 2 hr 50 min 17 sec;
Female — 3 hr 14 min 34 sec
Fastest marathon in scout uniform – Male — 3 hr 44 min 33 sec
Fastest marathon in superhero costume – Male — 2 hr 33 min 58 sec;
Female — 2 hr 48 min 51 sec
Fastest marathon on crutches – Male — 6 hr 24 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon on stilts — Male — 6 hr 50 min 02 sec
Fastest marathon pushing a pram – Male — 2 hr 42 min 21 sec;
Female — 3 hr 31 min 45 sec
Fastest marathon run dressed as a snowman – Male — 3 hr 47 min 39 sec
Fastest marathon running backwards – Male — 3 hr 43 min 39 sec
Fastest marathon running with an egg and spoon – Male — 3 hr 47 min
Fastest marathon skipping – Male — 4 hr 28 min 48 sec
Fastest marathon skipping without a rope – Male –5 hr 55 min 13 sec
Fastest marathon wearing a gas mask – Male — 3 hr 28 min 38 sec
Fastest marathon wearing a wetsuit – Male — 3 hr 25 min 00 sec
Fastest marathon wearing armour – Male — 6 hr 46 min 59 sec
Fastest marathon wearing chainmail (upper body) – Male — 5 hr 49 min 07 sec.
Fastest marathon wearing flip flops – Male — 3 hr 47 min 33 sec