Sir Steve runs his 100m leg as part of the new world record

The five-times rowing gold medallist's Steve Redgrave Trust helped set the new mark for the number of people to run 100m as part of an athletics relay.

The Guinness World Records confirmed the attempt had been successful after it finished at 1615 BST Sunday with 652 people running a leg each.

Sir Steve, 42, ran 100m himself at Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium.

Official mark

Guinness World Records adjudicator Susan Morrison said: "It has been set - it's official.

"Athletics and mass relay records are becoming more and more popular, especially during the summer months and after something like the Olympics.

"Records likes today's one are great, because anybody of any ability can take part."

There was a great atmosphere, despite the wind and rain, and everyone was very enthusiastic Sir Steve Redgrave

Participants in the event were asked to collect sponsorship for the Yorkhill Children's Foundation, which is raising funds for a new intensive care unit at the city's Yorkhill hospital.

Sir Steve said: "There was a great atmosphere, despite the wind and rain, and everyone was very enthusiastic.

"I've got my own charitable trust, which tries to raise �5m for children's causes all around the country for different community-based projects.

"Last time I was up here, I went to the hospital and saw first hand the work that goes on there."

Bad weather

Event organiser Paul Coffey, who helped come up with the idea, added: "We had a lot of school parties coming along and the track was very busy.

"It was a lot of fun and there was a great party atmosphere.

"The kids enjoyed running through the puddles on the track - the fact it was raining didn't mean anything to them.

"We were expecting to go until 1800 BST but we had to pack up early because of the bad weather."

The event followed last year's biggest-ever golf game at St Andrews Bay in Fife - also an official Guinness world record - which was again organised with the help of Sir Steve.