Watch This 'Human Torch' Set Dual Record for Running on Fire

A French “fire artist” and so-called "human torch" has set dual records for running while completely engulfed in flames, Guinness World Records announced on Thursday. 

Jonathan Vero, 39, jogged 272.25 meters (893 feet) in a protective suit, besting previous record-holder Antony Britton’s "longest distance full body burn run without oxygen" of 204.23 meters (670 feet). At the same time, Vero also set a record for the “fastest full body burn 100 meter sprint without oxygen,” accomplishing the feat in just 17 seconds. This significantly broke the previous record by 7.58 seconds, which was also held by Britton.

The dramatic footage showed Vero being ignited before he took off down the track. As spotters ran alongside him, albeit at a safe distance, licks of flame curled off of his back, sending them scattering.

When he arrived at the finish line, Vero threw up his hands in success while fire extinguishers blasted away the flames, most certainly to his relief.

In addition to his fire art credentials, which includes the eating and juggling fire, Vero is a firefighter and stuntman who claims to have “never stopped playing with fire” due to his undying “passion” for the element.

Vero told Guinness that he trained for three months to monitor his “breathing, explosiveness, and breathing." His official record attempt was held in Haubourdin, France, on the very athletic track which Vero trained upon as a youth, as he wanted to break the record in the city that saw him grow up.

Achieving the feat was the culmination of a dream Vero had held since he was a small child. “This performance has a lot of meaning for me, for my job as a firefighter and for the people who trained me and watched me grow," he told Guinness.

But even after his record-shattering run, Vero isn't done yet. “I've still got a lot to try and a lot of records to go for,” he admitted.

source https://www.mensjournal.com/news/french-firefighter-sets-guinness-records-running-on-fire