Optimus Prime marathon runner breaks world record

A man who ran the London Marathon dressed as the Transformer, Optimus Prime, has broken a Guinness World Record.

Matt Batchelor, from Milton Keynes, broke the record for the Fastest Marathon Dressed as a 3D Toy, completing the 26.2 miles in 4:19:23, beating the previous record of 4:53:30 by over half an hour.

Batchelor, 40, described crossing the finish line as an "absolutely incredible moment" and even transformed his costume back into a truck, which required him to crawl, as he headed down the Mall.

"The DJ there started playing the Transformers sound. It was just an epic moment – the best day of my life," he said.

In a post on X, Guinness World Records confirmed his attempt had been successful, describing it as "a great record".

Batchelor told the BBC he knew he would break the world record at around mile 16 as he was running faster than he had in training.

"I just decided I would rely on the crowds. [They were] cheering and that really, really lifted me," he said.

"I just sort of fought through the heavy legs, fought through the pain and just kept going."

Batchelor had been running in full costume around the Redways in Milton Keynes as part of his marathon training.

He ran the marathon to raise money and awareness for Thrombosis UK after experiencing a severe deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in April 2024.

He described the London Marathon experience as "absolutely epic" and said he would be taking part in the Milton Keynes Marathon on 4 May, but would be running "in normal clothes".

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.