Marathon man’s attempt at regaining his world record for fastest time with a backpack
FORMER ROYAL MARINE COMMANDO AIMING TO SMASH HALF MARATHON RECORD CARRYING 100LB ON HIS BACK
WITH just over three weeks to go until the Boston Marathon on April 28, runners are enthusiastically chatting on social media about the themed medal and T-shirt design of “Bomber County” featuring a Lancaster Bomber.
Some are running to commemorate relatives in the RAF who were posted to one of the 49 airfields across Lincolnshire during World War 11.
Entry numbers recorded last week are 913 for the full marathon, 457 for the half marathon, 165 for the 10K and 38 for the fun run.
Organisers are processing around a dozen entries on a daily basis.
There are only a few days left as registration closes on April 15, so runners will have to pick up the pace to ensure they receive their electronic bibs in the post.
Those who register after this date can collect them on race morning.
The organisers are anticipating upwards of 1,800 entries.
Spectators can choose between two starting points in the town or line Wide Bargate to see all runners just after setting off.
The full marathon starts in the Market Place at 8am, the 10K will the start from the Park Gates at 8.15am, the half marathon follows from the Market Place at 8.30am and the fun run, at the Park Gates, at 8.45am.
Anyone wishing to see the first runners arriving at the Boston College finish line will need to do a quick sprint themselves to the college by 8.45am as the fastest of the 10K will be expected in around this time. This year Collin Harrison from Dunston is attempting to reclaim his Guinness World Record for “Fastest Half Marathon carrying 100lb pack”.
Collin is former Royal Marine Commando and currently part of the Royal Marine Veterans Speed March Team, who will be completing a marathon distance Speed March in July 2024, in London to raise awareness of mental health issues among both serving and former military personnel.
It was back in September 2021 when Collin initially broke this Guinness World Record with a time of 2hrs 11min.
However, on May 21, 2023, it was broken with a time of 2hrs 10mins 30sec, as a result he is now aiming to complete the Boston Half Marathon course within 2hrs 8mins.
Accompanying him will be members of the RM Speed March team, who will run the course and act as witnesses for the Guinness ratification.
With the half marathon starting at 08:30 in the Market Place, and if all goes well, spectators can expect to cheer Collin across the finish line at Boston College at 10:38.
Anyone wishing to volunteer as a marshal along the route can contact the coordinator on 07810186939. Those wishing to enter a race can sign up on the website. www.bostonmarathon.co.uk.