London Marathon 2019: From dressing as Big Ben to wearing ice skates... this year's quirky world record attempts

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Katy Clifton28 April 2019

Tens of thousands of people are set to descend on the capital’s streets this weekend for the London Marathon and among them are dozens of runners hoping to break a world record.

One competitor taking part in the 39th annual event is hoping to complete the race wearing ice skates, while others will take on the 26.2-mile race dressed as a giant trainer, a tooth and a rhino.

Overall, 95 runners will try to break a Guinness World Record.

Lukas Bates, from Maidstone, will be dressing as Big Ben in a bid to break the world record for the fastest marathon dressed as a landmark building, which stands at three hours and 34 minutes.

Lukas Bates wearing a Elizabeth Tower costume
PA

The quantity surveyor, running for Dementia Revolution, has a personal best of two hours and 59 minutes but said beating the record is going to be a big challenge in his 1.5-metre costume.

"Having run the London Marathon four times previously, this year I decided I wanted to do something different, have a bit of fun and wear a crazy costume," he said.

"It's going to be very hard to break the record with the costume I've chosen. I could have made it smaller and easier to carry, but I want it to be a real challenge.”

Katie Simpson and Fiona Henderson (GWR)

Two friends from Durham have also set their sights on breaking a world record this Sunday as they prepare to run the marathon dressed as a tooth and toothpaste.

Katie Simpson and Fiona Henderson will be raising money for Derian House charity as they try to break the record for the fastest marathon dressed as a tooth and toiletry item.

Harry Vowles, 25, from London, will be running the marathon in a 10kg rhino costume, hoping to beat the current world record of five hours and 15 minutes.

Harry Vowles will be running as a rhino
GWR

Joining him at the starting line will be Paul Bennett, 42, dressed as a shoe, and Oscar White, 28, dressed as a tent.

The record for the fastest marathon in a six-person costume is being attempted by Charlie Farge, Cey Uzun, Rob Jones, Dave Brennan, Helen Smith and Andy Moulden as The Thunderbirds.

The group, who all work for Metropolitan Police, will be raising money for Clic Sargent and Tanyel’s Smile in honour of Cey’s late daughter Tanyel, who passed away from cancer in 2016 aged 20.

Other world record attempts will see two runners take on the race handcuffed together, while one woman will try and take the title for most t-shirts worn during a marathon.

For the full list of world record attempts this weekend, click here.

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