Leeds local aims to break world record raise autism awareness at London Marathon

Leeds local Matthew Akpan has opened up about his inspirations as he aims to break his sixth world record at the upcoming London Marathon, as he’s raising money for National Autistic Society

A man from Leeds is hoping to raise awareness and honour his late father in the upcoming London Marathon, where’s his goal is to break his sixth ever Guinness World Record.

Matthew Akpan, 37, from Leeds, who is on the Autism spectrum, is currently getting ready to run the London Marathon later this month. He’s now opened up about his inspiration for running the 26.2 miles long race. But he’s not only running it, as the current World Record holder is hoping to set his sixth ever Guinness World Record during the marathon, while also honouring his late father.

“I am hoping to run the London marathon and break the record for the fastest male Intellectual impairment title over that distance,” Matthew shared. This will be the sixth world record he’d be breaking, after already holding the Guinness World Records for the fastest male marathon and half marathon dressed as a wrestler.

While it may sound unique, Matthew revealed that he dresses up as wrestlers as a way to honour his late father, who died from kidney failure in January 2021. As the father and son shared a joint love of WWE wrestling, which they watched together for 20 years.

“I decided to dedicate a Guinness World Record attempt to him in his honour, I chose John Cena because of all the charity work he has done,” Matthew shared. “John Cena also congratulated me for the achievement on X (Twitter).”

As a lot of participants in the London Marathon are raising money for different charities, Matthew is no different. He said: “I am raising money for the National Autistic Society and have raised in total over £3,000 for six different charities since 2021.”

The Leeds local was diagnosed as being on the Autism spectrum in 2013, claiming the main reason he sought after the diagnosis was because he felt like something was ‘holding him back’, especially during his time at university.

Matthew shared that he failed his second year at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2011, where he studied Sports Development. Having been on the SEN register since primary school, Matthew got his diagnosis in 2013, and later re-enrolled at Leeds Beckett University, where he passed his degree qualification in Sport Leisure and Culture, having been admitted through to second year.

Now, Matthew is also hoping to help his local community by sharing his passion for running. Having completed over 400 parkruns at his local parkrun in Leeds at Woodhouse Moor and volunteering nearly 100 times, he is now part of organising a junior version of the event.

Still deciding where the events should take place, Matthew said they’re aiming for areas have high rates for diabetes in Leeds, which both his dad and grandmother had suffered from in the past.

“So to get juniors active (junior parkrun is targeting ages between 4 and 14) from a early age is how I can make a difference not just for health reasons but to give children more of a opportunity to try something and meet new people that they generally would not have access to,” Matthew shared.

Being a Celebrity Ambassador for the Magic Breakfast Charity, which provides breakfasts for children who may not be able to have it at home, Matthew already goes into local schools to share his own experience, while also urging the kids to have a healthy and balanced breakfast.

“I support young people or more so help young people those on the autism spectrum to bring out the qualities and interests that they have and desire,” Matthew said.

And his work is not going unnoticed, as Matthew has already been shortlisted for three awards in 2026, including The Yorkshire choice awards Rob Burrow outstanding courage award and inspirational individual award, The UK top influencer awards most inspirational person, as well as the Leader Awards.

If you want to help Matthew raise money, you can donate to his London Marathon charity pot here.