A British nurse has been told her attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest woman to finish a marathon dressed as a nurse would not count if she was not wearing a dress.

Key points: Records criteria states the costume must include a blue or white dress, a pinafore and a traditional nurse cap

Records criteria states the costume must include a blue or white dress, a pinafore and a traditional nurse cap Anderson was wearing scrubs, the uniform she wears to work at the London Royal Hospital

Anderson was wearing scrubs, the uniform she wears to work at the London Royal Hospital Guinness World Records is now reviewing the category guidelines

Jessica Anderson completed the run in a time of three hours, eight minutes and 22 seconds at the weekend, 32 seconds faster than current record holder Sarah Dudgeon's time.

But Anderson was told her attempt would not be considered.

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"Guinness World Records have declined my application as my uniform doesn't meet their criteria of what a nurse's uniform should be," she said on Instagram about a month out from the race.

She showed the BBC an email exchange between her and the organisation.

"For the purposes of this record, the nurse's uniform must include: a blue or white nurse dress, a white pinafore apron, a traditional white nurse's cap," she was told.

Tights, according to the criteria, were optional.

Current record holder Sarah Dudgeon's costume met the specific criteria. ( Guinness World Records )

A Guinness World Records spokesman told her that her outfit — a pair of scrubs just like the set she wears at the Royal London Hospital — was too similar to that of a doctor's costume.

The criteria for a doctor includes scrubs, a white coat and a stethoscope.

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"In order to maintain a different level of challenge, the 'nurse' costume has to be different, hence the requirement for the old-fashioned, stereotypical attire," she was told.

The spokesman said most other profession costumes also had unrealistic criteria, giving the example of a chef's outfit, which required the participant to carry a large pot.

Anderson told the BBC it was not the most serious issue on the planet, but said it had "an impact on the public perception of nursing".

"I get that it's supposed to be a fun thing, but their definition is just so outdated," she told Runner's World.

"Some of the nurses I work with do wear dresses but mostly we wear scrubs or a tunic and trousers.

"I've certainly never seen a male nurse wearing a dress to work."

Guinness World Records stood by the ruling, but on Sunday senior vice-president Samantha Fay said the criteria would be revised.

"We have recognised the need for an immediate review of this attempt and the 'fastest marathon dressed as a nurse' category and associated guidelines, which we will begin as a priority," she said.

"We are also committed to consistent reviews of all record categories to ensure they reflect the world we live in today."

Anderson's run was a fundraiser for her unit at the Royal London Hospital, with her profile attracting more than $7,000 in donations after her story went viral.

The Student Nurse Project, a UK organisation, responded by asking nurses to share selfies of their work uniform with the hashtag #WhatNursesWear to "change the archaic view" of the profession.

The hashtag was quickly taken up on social media, with nurses posting messages in support of Anderson.

"A dress does not make a nurse. Her qualifications do," one Twitter user said.