Worcestershire runner 'excited but apprehensive' ahead of marathon world record attempt
Chris Garratt is looking to beat the current record for a male of 3 hours, 31 minutes, and 11 seconds
A Guinness World record attempt for being the world’s fastest man to complete a marathon in full graduation attire awaits a runner from Worcestershire this weekend.
50-year-old Chris Garratt from Kempsey, who also works at the University of Worcester and has done so for nearly 30 years, will be running the London Marathon this Sunday (26 April) in a suit, along with the cap and gown and a pair of trainers.
He's aiming to beat the current record of 3 hours, 31 minutes, and 11 seconds which was set at the Chester marathon back in 2018 by Graham Tapp.
“I am kind of excited, but also apprehensive, but I think on the day hopefully everything will go well," he said ahead of the run.
"Three-and-a-half hours for a marathon is pretty good at the best of times, so I've been doing quite a lot of mileage.
"I've been doing between 75 and 80 miles a week just to get sort of used to doing sort of lots and lots of exercise."
Chris is also raising money for the University of Worcester’s student scholarship and hardship fund.
On the challenge of trying to make sure the outfit stays intact throughout the run and keeping the cap on, he said: "I don't know if it's going to stay on or not.
"If not, I'll probably run with one hand while the other one's trying to keep it on, but I'm just hoping for the best to be honest."