Sebastian Burley crossed the finish line in 4:00:33. He shattered the previous record for a full‑body inflatable costume. Cheers erupted through London’s marathon lanes.
At 9:10 per mile, Burley’s pace was a blistering 7 minutes faster than Arnie Delstanche’s 4:07:46 record. The heat inside the chicken suit pushed his body to the limits, yet he kept a steady rhythm, finishing in 5:42 per kilometre.
While the record stole the headlines, Burley’s mission was heart‑felt. By 28 April, he’d raised £2,132 for Action for Children, a charity close to his family. The funds will help protect vulnerable kids across the UK.
The 2026 London Marathon was a carnival of records – 38 titles set, from Keyur Gudka’s 3:08:10 in traditional Indian attire to Sabastian Sawe’s 1:59:30 men’s marathon record. Burley’s chicken‑costume feat added a quirky, memorable chapter to the race’s legacy.
As the dust settles, Burley plans to lace up again for the upcoming Commonwealth Games marathon, hoping to keep the momentum—and the charity funds—rolling.