She achieved the feat at the 2025 London Marathon, finishing the race in an impressive time of 3 hours, 53 minutes, and 2 seconds.
Keane, who has lived with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) for two decades, said she hopes her story raises awareness about the often “invisible” symptoms of the condition. MS is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing fatigue, pain, vision problems, and cognitive difficulties.
Inspired by her husband’s previous races, she ran her first London Marathon in 2024 and was surprised by her performance. This sparked her interest in marathon records for runners with MS, only to discover there was no existing female record, only the male category. She then contacted Guinness World Records, which created a new category for her.
Juliane Keane, who has multiple sclerosis, has set the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon completed by a woman with the condition (set at the London Marathon in a time of three hours, 53 minutes and two seconds). https://t.co/LmwYLdVdY5
— Dr. Brandon Beaber (@Brandon_Beaber) May 1, 2025
Despite facing soaring temperatures, blistered feet, and mental exhaustion, Keane completed the 26.2-mile course, spurred on by the incredible support from spectators. “It’s just an unreal experience,” she said, stating that the crowds helped the runners keep going at every mile.
Living with RRMS means Keane experiences unpredictable relapses, which can leave her bedridden for months. “MS fatigue can come on at any moment,” she explained. “It’s the hardest part of training.”
Now officially a world record holder, Keane hopes her achievement inspires others with MS. She considers herself very fortunate that she can still compete in marathons with her condition. ”I’m still able to run and I really wanted to complete the London marathon in case I can’t in the future,” she said.
English