California runner becomes world’s fastest fruit at Boston Marathon

Matthew Seidel of Oakland, Calif., has a one-of-a-kind accomplishment to add to his growing list of running achievements—the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a fruit costume (pending ratification). Seidel, 27, finished the Boston Marathon on Monday morning in a bright yellow banana costume, in a speedy time of 2:35:38. “It’s my first Boston and I couldn’t think of a better way to do it,” he told Canadian Running after the race.

The previous record for the fastest marathon dressed as a fruit was held by American runner Jordan Maddocks, who ran the 2020 Rock n’ Roll Arizona Marathon in 2:41:27. (In 2022, Maddocks also earned the title for world’s fastest marathon dressed as a vegetable, when he ran 2:44:12 as a carrot, also in the Rock n’ Roll Arizona Marathon.)

Seidel said that while he had run in the banana suit before, he had never run the full marathon distance. “I just really enjoy dressing up, I think,” he said. “Running is obviously one of my favourite things, but I think if you take it too seriously, it’s not fun.”

Seidel, who ran track and cross country for Seattle University (and who is no relation to marathoner Molly Seidel), is now an established ultra and trail runner who finished 19th at Black Canyon Ultras 100K race in Mayer, Ariz. in mid-February. He has a marathon PB of 2:21, and Boston was his fourth marathon (but his first as a banana).

Seidel’s fruit-flavoured costume was a hit with spectators throughout the race, and he said the encouragement from the sidelines was a huge boost on a warm day. While he started feeling the heat by mile five, “the emotions come and go,” Seidel said. “Luckily it’s a pretty thin suit, but definitely a lot of sweat.”

“Representative for all the bananas everywhere,” Seidel (who does not enjoy eating bananas) joked post-race. “Had a blast, happy to be here.”