In an extraordinary tale of resilience and determination, Alex Hunt, a runner from Cambridge, has shattered expectations — and a Guinness World Record — by completing the Stevenage Marathon in a time of three hours and six minutes, the fastest ever recorded by a person with an artificial heart valve.
Just months after undergoing open-heart surgery to receive an artificial heart valve, Hunt defied all medical odds by not only returning to long-distance running, but doing so at record-breaking speed. His time beat the previous Guinness World Record by an astonishing 45 minutes.
Guinness World Records has officially confirmed Hunt’s achievement, calling it a “remarkable milestone in athletic and medical history.”
Alex’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. What began as a life-threatening heart condition turned into a mission to not just survive — but thrive. With the help of a dedicated medical team, rigorous training, and immense personal willpower, Hunt pushed past his physical limitations to write his name into history.
“When they told me I’d have an artificial valve, I thought my running days were over. Now, I’ve never felt more alive,” Hunt said after completing the marathon.
His story is now spreading globally, inspiring heart patients, athletes, and medical professionals alike. Cardiologists have praised his feat as a symbol of how modern medicine and human spirit can work hand in hand to overcome adversity.
Alex Hunt’s incredible achievement reminds the world that with courage in the heart and fire in the legs, no finish line is out of reach — even for those who’ve had their heart rebuilt.
