Hundreds of superheroes took over The Mall during a day of records and celebration at the 2025 Vitality Westminster Mile today (Saturday 27 September).
In front of Buckingham Palace, 434 people dressed as their favourite superhero set a new Guinness World Record for the ‘most people dressed as superheroes to complete the same one-mile run’.
Familiar faces including Spider-Man, Batgirl and Wonder Woman assembled to flex their muscles as they crossed the Finish Line, with families and children in full flight on the spectacular roads of central London.
James, from Dulwich in south-east London, donned his Batman outfit alongside his girlfriend Becky, cousin Naomi, and children Jude and Bella – with Supergirl, Superman and Batgirl joining the Superheroes Wave.
“It’s fantastic to run on The Mall with hundreds of others and the motivation on course was incredible. One other guy dressed as Flash helped my five-year-old son who was flagging and his, ‘You can do this’ helped get him across the line. Being a Guinness Record Holder tops it off; I have been waiting for this moment since I was watching Record Breakers as a kid!”
Tony and Vicki and children Isabelle and Josh joined the Superhero Wave from Southgate, north London – dressed as Spider-Man and Wonder Woman.
“What a great family day out,” said Tony. “We love superheroes, and I always dressed up as Spiderman as a kid. We made history today and we are happy with that!”
Earlier in the day, Elizabeth Rolston, from Kent, also made history when she became the oldest-ever finisher, aged 99, as she was pushed across the Finish Line by her grandson, Harry.
"Being the oldest finisher at the event makes me feel even older,” said Elizabeth, who was in the Ruth Strauss Foundation Wave. “It is such a joy to have everyone together doing the same thing. It is really important to support those who have been bereaved, and I hope people who see this will support. As for what’s next, let’s see! Watch this space.”
Joe Wigfield runs sub-four-minute mile for second consecutive year
Closing the Vitality Westminster Mile was the BMC Bannister Mile, which saw some of the fastest one-mile runners head to the capital.
Back on top was Joe Wigfield, who ran 3:59.77 to continue his dominance of the event after he ran 3:58 last year to become the first person to run the Vitality Westminster Mile course in under four minutes. Sam Charig was second ahead of Ian Crowe (both 4:01) in third.
On the women’s side, Holly Dixon sprinted across the line in 4:30 to finish ahead of Khahisa Mhlanga (4:31) and Lucy Armitage (4:35).
Check out the full quotes from participants at the Vitality Westminster Mile, including Joe Wigfield, Holly Dixon and former England Cricket captain Sir Alastair Cook.
Friends and families join charity waves and enjoy Vitality Wellness Festival
The 6,535 finishers were the most in the event since 2019, as families came out in force to join the partner waves that featured some recognisable names from the world of sport, film and television.
Leading The Body Coach Foundation Wave was The Body Coach himself, Joe Wicks, as he completed the one-mile route with his family. Sir Alastair Cook, former England Cricket captain, ran with the Ruth Strauss Foundation Wave; TV personality Rachel Riley ran with her children in the Children with Cancer UK Wave, as did director and actor Jake Graf and his wife, Hannah.
Other waves – which included The Daily Mile, Jr. NBA and Scouts – saw thousands of families cross the line.
As well as all the happenings on the route, there was plenty going on in Green Park, which hosted the Vitality Wellness Festival with taster sessions and activities for all ages. These included have-a-go sessions from England Netball, London Youth Games, Scouts and the FA, partner offerings from New Balance, the Ruth Strauss Foundation, Children with Cancer UK, and the Jr. NBA, plus plenty more.
Sisters Jovanna and Sienna, from east London, took part with their parents, Joelma and Marcio, in one of the Family Waves. They headed to the Vitality Wellness Festival after collecting their medals.
Jovanna, 26, said: “It was really nice, we were able to run but also walk, which was quite nice, especially with the children.
“The festival is great, it’s my first time coming to one of these as I usually do the 10K runs. So to do something like this where you can try different sports is fun. It is very well organised. We will definitely be back next year.
Sienna, 6, added: “I just had fun with my family, I had so much fun. The medal is cool!”
Elaine Rayner, Event Lead of the Vitality Westminster Mile, said: “The Vitality Westminster Mile offers something for everyone. From thousands of families running together around the stunning St James’s Park course to remarkable moments like seeing 99-year-old Elizabeth cross the Finish Line or a record-breaking wave of superheroes – it is such a feel-good day for all the family.
About 20,000 people get set for Vitality London 10,000 tomorrow
“The positive vibes carried through to the Vitality Wellness Festival in Green Park, where participants and passers-by alike joined the celebrations. We hope the inspiration sparked today will bring even more people to the Vitality Westminster Mile in 2026, with entries open now.”
Tomorrow, the Vitality London 10,000 will see thousands of people take to the roads of central London, enjoying the picturesque surroundings of St Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace. London 2012 Olympic champion Jess Ennis-Hill will get the event underway from 09:30, with Eilish McColgan – who is gunning for a record-equalling third victory – Jessica Warner-Judd and David Weir among those taking part.
Others taking part on the day include female running campaigners and advocates Bryony Gordon and Helen Thorn, who will be leading about 3,000 participants in the Celebrate You Wave, which celebrates body positivity, including the ‘Topless Runner’ Louise Butcher, five-times Olympian Jo Pavey, and Kitty Scott-Claus – star of RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All Stars.