Astronaut Tim Peake sets new record racing London Marathon from space

For those who prefer km, finishing time for @astro_timpeake running the #LondonMarathon aboard the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/lObJUvpckE

— Away Team Software (@away_team) April 25, 2016

Tim Peake covered almost 100,000 kilometres during Sunday morning’s London Marathon. The catch: Peake ran the entire race 400 kilometres above Earth on the International Space Station. The British astronaut set a world record for fastest marathon (male) run in space in 3:35:21.

Peake was one of approximately 39,000 runners to take part in the London Marathon. He began at the same time as the other competitors and followed along virtually with the help of an iPad. A total of 31 Guinness world records were set on Sunday (full list at the bottom of the page). His experience was likely the most unique. 

RELATED: Astronaut Scott Kelly’s weekly running routine has been out of this world.

So how does his marathon running exactly work up in space? The 44-year-old is able to run aboard the International Space Station thanks to a specialized treadmill outfitted with elastics that keep him in place. Astronauts regularly exercise by running and biking to fight the effects of weightlessness in space. Peake describes the harness as a “clumsy rucksack.”

Below is a video of Peake virtually running the race route in London:

A few miles earlier @astro_timpeake over Tower Bridge Digital #LondonMarathon pic.twitter.com/vXGcFSiFQQ

— RunSocial (@runsocial) April 24, 2016

Guinness’ head of records, Marco Frigatti, confirmed the record via a live feed aboard the space station. The female record for fastest marathon in space is held by American Sunita Williams who ran 4:24 in 2007.

This wasn’t the first time he has run the London Marathon. Peake also ran in 1999 (not from space) finishing in 3:18:50.

.@astro_timpeake has finished his #LondonMarathon in space! Estimated time 3:35:21. @Astro_Jeff comes to applaud Tim pic.twitter.com/0AT4EgRUNK

— ESA Operations (@esaoperations) April 24, 2016

Peake tweeted out the following photo of London prior to beginning the race on Sunday:

Hello #London! Fancy a run? 🙂 #LondonMarathon https://t.co/CvaUjUo7IU pic.twitter.com/SLckqOp8Gk

— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) April 24, 2016

The full list of Guinness world records broken at Sunday morning’s London Marathon can be found below:

– Sean Fitzpatrick ran the fastest marathon in film character costume (male) dressed as Elsa from Frozen and achieving 2:39:09.
– Alistair Smith ran the fastest marathon in a nurse’s uniform (male), finishing in 2:45:37.
– Mark Lambell ran the fastest marathon in scout uniform in 2:58:44.
– Lee Goodwin ran the fastest marathon dressed as a plant, achieving 3:02:43 as a flower pot.
– Martin Hewlett ran the fastest marathon dressed as an astronaut (male), achieving 3:06:26.
– Damian Thacker and Luke Symonds ran the fastest marathon three-legged (male) in 3:07:57.
– Ben Evans ran the fastest marathon dressed in a full body dinosaur outfit, in 3:08:34.
– Naomi Flanagan ran the fastest marathon dressed as a book character (female), finishing in 3:08:34 dressed as Tinker Bell.
– Charlie Long ran the fastest marathon dressed as a bottle (male) in 3:09:37.
– Michael Stevenson ran the fastest marathon dressed as an organ (prostate) in 3:13:20.
– Katie Godof ran the fastest marathon in an animal costume (female) achieving 3:15:39 as a tortoise.
– Steven Reading ran the fastest marathon dressed as a circus strongman (male), achieving 3:19:30.
– Francis Gilroy ran the fastest marathon by a mascot (male), finishing in 3:17:57.
– Petr Hruska ran the fastest marathon dressed as an elf (male): 3:19:15.
– Scott Boyd ran the fastest marathon in highland dress (male) 3:21:00.
– Greg Trevelyan ran the fastest marathon dressed as a crustacean (male), achieving 3:17:57 in a lobster outfit.
– Richard Kell ran the fastest marathon dressed as a gingerbread man, finishing in 3:29:21.
– Ian Rule ran the fastest marathon dressed as a tap (male) in 3:42:55.
– Owen Arthurs ran the fastest marathon in a graduation gown (male), achieving 3:43:20.
– Faye Morse ran the fastest marathon in film character costume (female), achieving 3:44:14 dressed as Tinker Bell from Moulin Rouge.
– Ryan Deering ran the fastest marathon dressed as a fast food item (Hot dog) in 3:57:17.
– Corin Leach ran the fastest marathon dressed in a ghillie suit (female), in 3:58:57.
– Erin Fairhead ran the fastest marathon in a fire-fighter’s uniform (female), achieving 4.09:32.
– Phil Olson ran the fastest marathon dressed as a chef in 4:07:17.
– Chris Coulson and Thomas Church ran the fastest marathon in a two-person costume, wearing a horse and jockey outfit and achieving 4:21:21.
– Gill Punt ran the fastest marathon in a full-body animal costume (female) as a Polar Bear in 4:22:08.
– Fraser Barrett, Charles Reynolds and Oliver Smith ran the fastest four-legged marathon in 4:44:19.
– Dave Cooke ran the fastest marathon wearing chain mail in 5:45:51.
– Lee Small, Stevie Clifford-Tucker, Mick Palmer and Jim Lafferty, all London firemen, ran the fastest marathon in a four-person costume in 5:25:02, wearing a fire engine costume.
– Michael Barker ran the fastest marathon carrying an 80 lbs pack in 5:43:24.

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