‘It’s a pretty obscure, strange thing to do’: five Guinness World Record holders on their moment of glory, and life thereafter

Guinness World Record-holder Michelle Boyle taking part in roller skate limbo in the 1980s. Photograph: supplied by Michelle Boyle

Some people train their whole lives to earn a Guinness World Record. For others, picking one up is a happy accident. After all, the more than 40,000 records currently maintained by Guinness run the gauntlet from fastest marathon (an impressive 1hr 59min) to the largest number of hotdogs eaten in one minute (six, including the bun).

So what motivates someone to pursue a world record – and what happens to your life after you get one? To find out, we spoke to five record holders, past and present.