Tim Peake Runs London Marathon 2016 From International Space Station, Sets New World Record

'Someone we can all look up to. Literally.'
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Tim Peake has set a new world record after completing the London Marathon in three hours, 35 minutes and 21 seconds while on-board the International Space Station, which is located 400km above Earth.

The British astronaut, who ran the course while strapped to a treadmill, saw roads pass under his feet in real time on an iPad.

The 44-year-old has set a new record for fastest marathon in orbit, Guinness World Records confirmed on Sunday.

Guinness World Records adjudicated Peake’s attempt via live video link at the European Astronaut Centre of ESA in Cologne.

The record for the fastest marathon in orbit by a female is held by Sunita Williams, who ran in a time of four hours and 24 minutes on April 16, 2007.

Head of records Marco Frigatt said: "Tim has captured the hearts and minds of the nation since his mission on-board the International Space Station began last year.

"His latest achievement is surely his greatest – running the fastest marathon in space, on the only day-off from his gruelling schedule is fantastic accomplishment.

"Tim is a true inspiration and someone we can all look up to. Literally.”

Ahead of today's race, the British astronaut tweeted this stunning photo of London.

A total of 69 fun runners are attempting to achieve Guinness World Records titles today – from giant dinosaurs to a four-man fire engine.

Not content with running the marathon himself, Peake also had time to launch the countdown for thousands of eager participants waiting to start the route in London.

Peake sent his fellow runners a good luck video message before a 10-second countdown to start the 36th race.

He ran the 26.2-mile course in three hours, 18 minutes and 50 seconds on earth back in 1999.

The astronaut has received a lot of praise for his challenge.

Back on Earth, the winner of this year's marathon, Jemima Sumgong, gave a life lesson in perseverance after she recovered from a nasty fall to go on and complete the course in just under two hours and 23 minutes.

Sumgong held her head after a sharp impact with the road when she was tripped by Ethiopian Aselefech Mergia as they approached a water station.

Eliud Kipchoge, also from Kenya, retained the men’s title, running the route just seven seconds short of the world record.

Marcel Hug of Switzerland won the men’s wheelchair race ahead of Britain’s Paralympic champion David Weir in third.

American Tatyana McFadden won the women’s race for a fourth consecutive year.

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Prince Harry after presenting Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Jemima Sumgong with their gold medal trophies during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Jemima Sumgong of Kenya celebrates after she wins the women's race in the 2016 London Marathon in London, Sunday, April 24, 2016. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge (centre) celebrates after winning the Men's Elite Race ahead of Kenya's Stanley Biwott (right) and Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP
Marcel Hug of Switzerland wins, and Kurt Fearnley of Australia is second in the mens wheelchair race in the 2016 London Marathon.
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Prince Harry presents the gold medal trophies to Switzerland's Marcel Hug and USA's Tatyana McFadden during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Gold medalist Switzerland's Marcel Hug (centre) silver medalist Australia's Kurt Fearnley (left) and bronze medalist Great Britain's David Weir on the podium during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Prince Harry escorts the widow of London Marathon founder John Disley from the podium during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Prince Harry greets crowd members during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Jonathan Brady/PA Wire
Great Britain's Aly Dixon (left) and Sonia Samuels celebrate after crossing the line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
The Elite Men prepare to start the race during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
The Elite Men prepare to start the race during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Runners pass the Old Naval College, Greenwich, during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Runners make their way over the start line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Runners make their way over the start line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Runners make their way over the start line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Runners make their way over the start line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Runners make their way over the start line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday April 24, 2016. See PA story ATHLETICS Marathon. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Runners make their way over the start line during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Racegoers in fancy dress prepare for the start of the race during the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Participants in fancy dress prepare for the start of the race before the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
Adam Davy/PA Wire
Participants in fancy dress prepare for the start of the race before the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.

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