Just three years ago, Alex Hunt was staring down a life-threatening diagnosis and the terrifying prospect of never watching his daughters grow up. Now? He’s a world record holder — and the internet can’t stop talking about it.
In what doctors described as a race against time, the 37-year-old father from Cambridge underwent open-heart surgery at Royal Papworth Hospital to treat a dangerous congenital condition known as a bicuspid aortic valve. It’s a common but serious heart defect that disrupts normal blood flow and can lead to devastating consequences if left untreated — including full-blown heart failure.
But Alex didn’t just recover — he roared back. With a titanium artificial valve beating in his chest, he laced up his running shoes, pounded through punishing winds, and rewrote the record books. In October, during the Stevenage Marathon, Alex clocked in at an astonishing three hours and six minutes — smashing the previous Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon by a runner with an artificial heart valve by a jaw-dropping 45 minutes.
And after months of suspenseful anticipation, Guinness World Records has officially confirmed his record-breaking feat.
“I was struggling by mile 24 — my legs were giving out,” Alex confessed. “But stubbornness and caffeine got me through it.”
Wind speeds reached up to 40mph on the day of the race, but even brutal conditions couldn’t stop him. “It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done physically,” he admitted. “Before the operation, I loved running. Thanks to the incredible staff and treatment I received at Royal Papworth Hospital, I’ve been able to return to my passion — and to break a world record doing it is just amazing.”
He posed proudly outside the hospital with his Guinness certificate, joined by Krystyna Grant, managing director of Royal Papworth Charity, and Shelley Green, fundraising and stewardship manager — both of whom celebrated his incredible journey from heart patient to record-breaking runner.
Dr. Steven Tsui, the cardiothoracic surgeon who performed Alex’s operation, praised the accomplishment as a testament to human resilience. “Alex’s record-breaking run is a remarkable example of strength and determination. We’re incredibly proud of him. It’s an outstanding personal achievement, and we’re deeply grateful for his support of Royal Papworth Hospital Charity.”
And support it he did. Alex’s run wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a mission to give back. He raised a phenomenal £1,700 for the Royal Papworth Charity, which supports the hospital in its life-saving efforts at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
The charity’s work includes providing high-end medical equipment that speeds up recovery, offering emergency accommodation for patients’ families, and funding critical research and staff training to keep pushing the boundaries of heart and lung treatment.
In a world where headlines often highlight heartbreak, this is one that pulses with hope. A dad, a diagnosis, a second chance — and a record that’s inspiring millions. From the edge of despair to the finish line of triumph, Alex Hunt’s story is a resounding reminder: the human heart — even an artificial one — can do extraordinary things.
