London Marathon 2025 sets two Guinness World Records

London Marathon 2025 has made history by setting two Guinness World Records, solidifying its place as one of the biggest and most iconic long-distance running events in the world.

Guinness World Records confirmed that London Marathon 2025 broke the record for the most finishers in a marathon, with an astonishing 56,649 runners completing in the 26.2-mile race. This surpasses the previous record set by the New York Marathon, which had 55,646 finishers during its chilly November event. Remarkably, London achieved the milestone despite holding the race in warmer spring weather.

The second world record was for the highest number of applicants for a marathon ballot. A record-breaking 840,318 people applied to participate in this year's London Marathon, as verified by Guinness World Records.

According to BBC Sport, there was a 105 percent increase in applications from people aged 20 to 29. Additionally, 49 percent of the total applications from the UK were submitted by women, indicating a growing interest and gender balance in marathon participation.

Born in 1981, the London Marathon is not only a major athletic event but also the world's largest annual one-day fundraising event. To date, it has raised an incredible $1.73 billion (approximately £1.3 billion) for charities.

Notably, this isn't the first time the London Marathon has earned a world record. In 2020, amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, the event was held virtually. That year, 37,966 participants from around the world joined in, setting a record for the most people to run a remote marathon within a 24-hour period.

The London Marathon continues to inspire athletes and everyday people alike, combining sport, charity, and community on a global scale.