Dave Stone, who successfully broke the world record for the fastest marathon run while dressed as a book character. Photo by Simon Horn. Ref exe 5740-12-12SH To order your copy of this photograph visit www.exmouthjournal.co.uk and click on myphotos24.

Exmouth’s marathon record-breaker has done it again, becoming the fastest man ever to run a marathon dressed as a book character.

Dave Stone, 42, of Normandy Close, ran this year’s London Marathon dressed as Dracula – complete with cape, fangs and cravat.

Six other runners were going for the same record, but Dave, who works at Kings Garden Centre, beat them all to set the new mark of two hours 42 minutes and 17 seconds – 20 minutes faster than the previous record.

And that time was enough to place him 247th overall, and make him the fastest runner in any kind of costume.

Dave’s success followed his feat in last year’s event of running the fastest marathon dressed as a superhero, which he achieved dressed as Superman.

And, although Dave’s Dracula costume was bulkier, he managed to beat his time from last year by 30 seconds.

He said: “I got a great deal of support again – last year everyone recognised Superman, and this year everyone recognised Dracula and shouted his name out all the way round.”

As well as going for another record, Dave, who runs for Exmouth Harriers, took on the marathon to raise money for the Exmouth and District Community Transport Group and Cancer Research UK, with the final fundraising total still to be calculated.

His record breaking feat also saw him interviewed live on Sky TV, and featured in news articles around the world.

And Dave, who has run 14 London Marathons overall, says he is not done with record breaking just yet, and hopes to go for a hat-trick next year.

“I did it for the first 12 years in normal running gear, and the costumes haven’t affected my time that much, so I think I’m going to go for the fastest film character next year.

“I’ve got a Zorro costume at home, so I might wear that!”