Tim Peake, British Astronaut, Participates in London Marathon from Space

Tim Peake, astronaut from ESA currently on a mission in ISS ran the London Marathon on April 24, connected to a Virtual-reality video while being on a treadmill. Peake finished 26.2 miles in 3 hours 35 minutes 21 seconds, while orbiting above the planet and making the first world record of its kind.

To beat gravity of space station, the astronaut was weighed down by a harness and a bungee system so that he could stay attached to a treadmill. Before he took a flight to the space station, Peake trained in Germany's European Astronaut Center so that he can participate in the Marathon.

Peake was just like any other runner in London that day, only he was orbiting 250-miles above the Earth and was strapped on to his treadmill with a Glenn Harness. He was also the official starter of the race. He flagged off the marathon with a video message that other runners in London could see.

"I'm really excited to be able to join the runners on Earth from right here on board the space station," Peake said on the video. "Good luck to everybody running, and I hope to see you all at the finish line."

London Marathon is organized every year and happens along Thames River as thousands of people participate each year. In 1999, Peake finished the marathon, crossing the finish line at 3 hours and 18 minutes. Peake wrote in his blog and said that the run was actually better than what he had expected. He thought he would only run for 7.5 miles per hour but did 10 miles instead.

Peake also added that watchint the live BBC action served as an encouragement to finish the race. This is the second time that an astronaut participated in a marathon from space. The first time was Sunita Williams when she ran for Boston Marathon April 16, 2007, finishing at 4 hours, 23 minutes.