When nurse Jessica Anderson completed last Sunday’s (April 28) London Marathon in a speedy three hours, eight minutes and 22 seconds, the runner was poised to hold the world record title for fastest marathon completed in a nurse’s uniform. But despite the fact that Anderson had wrapped London’s historic race 32 seconds faster than the previous titleholder, Guinness World Records ultimately denied Anderson the title—and discounted the marathoner’s attempt altogether.
The organization’s reasoning? She was wearing pants.
According to official Guinness World Record rules, a nurse’s uniform is categorized as being “a blue or white dress, a pinafore apron and a traditional nurse’s cap,” according to the Independent. Which, yes, is incredibly outdated.
Anderson, who has worked on the Acute Admissions Unit at the Royal London Hospital for nearly seven years, ran the marathon in the scrubs she normally wears to work as a nurse. The GWR asserts that her attire strayed too far from this definition and too closely represented a doctor’s uniform.
Upon learning of her disqualification due to archaic dress code formalities, Anderson told Runner’s World she was “quite taken aback”—and rightfully so. “Some of the nurses I work with do wear dresses, but mostly we wear scrubs or a tunic and trousers,” she told the magazine.
GWR has since pledged to look into its costume policy, issuing a statement to address claims that its requirements are wholly sexist. “Inclusiveness and respect are values that Guinness World Records holds extremely dear, and while we always need to ensure we can differentiate between categories, it is quite clear that this record title is long overdue a review, which we will conduct as a priority in the coming days,” the organization said.
On Instagram, Anderson addressed the race, and the controversy, head-on: “Yesterday was incredible!! From having @mayob123 as the best pacer I could wish for, to crossing the line with the man of my dreams @leon_cerrone ❤️ and support from so many wonderful friends all along the way @vonski_ @clairebernwilson @sazzerf @makeitlooknice , lots of friends from @nhsbartshealth plus @daddydarkrdc and the one and only @run.dem.crew I couldn’t have asked for a better day ?Ps. @guinnessworldrecords this is what the fastest female marathon runner in a nurse’s uniform ACTUALLY looks like (3.08.22 ⏰)”
Despite the controversy, Anderson told Runner’s World that, if nothing else, she hopes those in charge at GWR will retire sexist stereotypes: “I’m sure Guinness World Records don’t intend to cause offense, but it would be nice if they decided to revise their criteria instead of reinforcing old gender stereotypes.”
