Costumed Runners Set Six Records at Berlin Marathon
The 2026 BMW Berlin Marathon was not only about fast times. It was also a weekend of fun costumes and official world records. Athletes from more than 160 nations came to Berlin, with over 80,000 participants expected across the two-day event.
For the eighth year in a row, Guinness World Records teamed up with the race. Ten record titles were up for grabs, and by the end of the weekend six attempts had succeeded. An official adjudicator waited at the finish line with certificates in hand.
The fun began on Saturday with the inline skating marathon. Jochen Glasbrenner from Germany skated the course dressed as a Smurf in 1 hour, 20 minutes and 40 seconds, setting the record for the fastest inline skating marathon dressed as a comic book character. Monika Tischbierek, also from Germany, set the women's record for the fastest inline skating marathon wearing lederhosen, in 2 hours, 6 minutes and 53 seconds.
On Sunday, the runners took over. Sam Wilson from the UK was first to set a record, finishing in 2:52:49 as the fastest male marathon runner dressed as a singer. Glasbrenner was back for more, adding the record for the fastest marathon dressed as a milk product in 3:41:49. That gave him two new titles in one weekend.
James Khan set the record for the fastest marathon dressed as a spacecraft in 3:47:18, and Pieric Brast became the fastest marathon runner dressed as a construction worker in 3:59:09.
Guinness World Records says the partnership is about celebrating resilience, creativity and the joy of setting new goals.
