--- title: "Man Sets Record for Fastest 100-Meter Sprint While on Fire" description: "Jonathan Vero, a firefighter and stuntman, has two Guinness World Records: the fastest 100-meter sprint and longest run — both while on fire." date: "2023-07-15" modified: "2023-07-15" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/man-record-fastest-sprint-fire" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "fire" - "guinness world records" - "the digest" --- # Man Sets Record for Fastest 100-Meter Sprint While on Fire ![Jonathan Vero, a firefighter and stuntman, has two Guinness World Records: the fastest 100-meter sprint and longest run — both while on fire.]() *\Image: Jonathan Vero\* ## Fire Guy Jonathan Vero, a 39-year-old firefighter and fire stunt artist based in Lille, France, has two Guinness World Records: the fastest 100-meter sprint while on fire, and the longest run while on fire. Why? Maybe the real question is: why not! "I'm not scared about fire," Vero [told *The Washington Post*](). "I love fire. It's a passion for me." Per *WaPo*, the fire fanatic ran the flame-engulfed 100-meter sprint in 17 seconds and ran 272.25 meters in total, beating both previous respective records of 24.58 seconds and 204.23 meters. Vero technically beat the records back in September 2022, but Guinness just sent the firefighter his official certificates last week. And according to the part-time fire-eater, he might have a few more fiery world records in the tank. "There \[are\] a lot of records that I think I can break," the stuntman told *WaPo.* ## Layered Up To guard himself from the flames during the dangerous sprint, Vero, per *WaPo*, donned three layers of protection. His first consisted of "flame-resistant" sweatpants and a long-sleeved tee, both covered in a special "naked burn" gel. Over that, he layered a jumpsuit — also smeared in the flame-managing gel — and put a mask over his face. Finally, he put on his fire suit, including his gloves and boots. That's pretty clunky stuff — and honestly, it makes the speed and distance that he ran all the more impressive. ## Patch Work Thankfully, Vero's colleagues and fellow fire professionals joined him at the track, so safety — for Vero as well as onlookers and the surrounding area — seemed to be top of mind. But even with all of those layers, Vero still got hurt, telling *WaPo* that he burnt his back and hamstrings. But, he says, he threw on some lotion, and he was better in just a few days. And besides, Vero says pain is just part of the deal. "When you want to break this kind of record," Vero told *WaPo*, "you have to accept the dangers." In any case, congrats to Vero. The guy loves fire, and it's a very cool thing to have one, let alone two, Guinness records. We all have our hobbies — and some folks', apparently, involve setting themselves on fire and running as fast as possible around a local track. **More on record-breaking:** [*Elon Musk Sets Guinness World Record for Losing the Most Money*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()