2025 has been a really special year for me in terms of running and the autumn has seen the culmination of this with two events that particularly stand out.
The first was that I set a World Record! This was something I’d been thinking about for many years, but never really figured out what to do or how to go about it. In 2024 a chance conversation with another runner who had set a World Record for Fastest Marathon in a Wedding Dress(Female) rekindled my determination to try and achieve something similar. I finally realised that a good approach might be to combine two things in my life that I like to think I’m reasonably good at (but make no claims to being amazing at!) – teaching and running. With his in mind, I contacted Guiness World Records and they approved my application to try and set a World Record for Fastest Marathon as an Academic (Male).
After a few costume tweaks, it was all given final approval and it was then into the training. I am very grateful to have had the club to run with and tolerate being with someone who initially looked like they hadn’t got changed when I turned up in trousers and a shirt in the middle of the summer! I then had runs with other running friends in full get-up on the high-peak trail and then a final check on an away run before I headed to Germany to make my official attempt at the 2025 Berlin Marathon.
Despite the far from ideal 25 degree heat and 60% humidity, I am now the proud owner of an official World Record for Fastest Marathon as an Academic. As this was a new record, I had to come in under 4 hours, butwas very pleased to manage it in 3hrs 31mins 30secs.
Although I am sure it may not stand for long, it was great to achieve a longstanding dream to be a World Record holder and the certificate sits in pride of place in our living room.
The second, and even more memorable event was my trip to the Backyard World Championships in Tennessee just a month after the trip to Berlin. Here’s some reflections on my adventure at “Big’s Backyard Ultra”.
Mainly, it was just the most amazing experience! We arrived quite late on Thursday night, so were straight to site on Friday morning where we met our wonderful tent-mates from Canada. Instant connections were made and Lee (the Canadian National Champion) and I headed out for a test of the day course (both being streak runners, this took care of at least some of the run for the day!). By the end of the day everything was set-up, we’d had the legendary Lazarus Lake tolerate the obligatory photos and we were able to get a decent bit of sleep. The time difference actually worked well for us as the 4.30am start felt like a lie-in with it being 10.30am UK time.
It was hard to get a sense of everything that first morning as it was dark, so most of the focus was just on making final preparations – including admiring the extra tarpaulin additions that Lee and crew had made to our tent (a definite bonus given the weather that was to come).
Then the whistles and bells started and off we went. I only started backyard in 2024 and had some lovely experiences at my debut race but hadn’t felt the strength of the camaraderie that is talked about when it comes to the backyard – here, it was palpable from the start. I was greeted like an equal and a friend, despite my overwhelming feeling of imposter syndrome (it was great to hear another runner talking about this so eloquently on course). The care for each other could also be seen from the start with the previous champion making sure everyone was definitely in the lines at the corral! He also made sure I was okay after a full ‘superman’ fall during the day loops – thankfully a couple of nasty bruises were all I suffered and they didn’t affect the rest of my race.
As we headed onto the night loop, I really started to find things difficult. I’d been surprised at how well I’d dealt with the heat of the day, but the humidity in the evening really took its toll. I arrived back quite late at one point, threw up in the tent and thought I was probably done – but, with lots of support, got back out there and put in a much quicker loop that gave me a lot of confidence I could keep going.
Then came the rain! I think at this point, it got really tough for those in camp and at least some of the runners, but for me it was a blessing (even the really torrential stuff) as I cooled down and felt refreshed by it. That got me through to 24 hours, the first major milestone of the race, and from there I was focused on getting to 31 yards, my PB, and ringing the bell. “Ring that bell” was my refrain for lap after lap as we stayed on the road due to the weather. It was in these yards, some of the toughest of the event for me, that the group really looked after me. There was a kindness throughout, with runners handing me salt tablets and gels from their own supply, but always checking in each yard or running with me for a bit. I also an offer to run with me every yard from 28 through to PB, which would have compromised that runner’s strategy, but he was there at the start every time, determined to make sure I made it to the bell. Back in camp, I know that my wife was being supported by everyone too – including crew and others who turned into an unofficial cheer squad!
Finally, I got to ring that bell and, with that, the sense of relief seemed to come with a renewed energy to keep going and see how far I could get. Throughout the next 11 laps (and my final timed-out one), the generosity and kindness continued to flow at all times. I think it might have been 41 when two runners caught me up and made sure I got back to the one milemarker with enough time to complete the lap – which I might not have done without them. I’m not sure when it was, but a random hug from one of the event crew also gave me a burst of energy I didn’t think I had!
I got back from 42 and knew I was done, but was (rightly) forced out by my wife and ‘one more loop’ from the crowd, but simply couldn’t get my legs to turn over – having to walk from about halfway down the hill. It was a long and cold return, but even then, the incredible spirit of the event shone through as Lazarus Lake let my wife out on course to come and recover me in the last quarter mile.
Back in camp, I got to sit round the fire for a bit and was presented with my silver coin by Laz with beautiful words and encouragement – another wonderful moment amongst the most incredible couple of days. After some sleep, it was great to be able to repay a tiny bit of the kindness wehad been shown by bringing supplies to site. We then got to enjoy cheering everyone else on, but also some wonderful company around the fire.
I wish we could have stayed to the end, but leaving four children at home was tough to begin with, so it was definitely time to get back.
People talk about ‘legends’ when they speak of the exceptional athletes in the Backyard and who make my 180 miles seem positively pedestrian – but for me, everyone there was not a legend because of their physical (and mental) achievements, they were all legends because they were the nicest, kindest and most generous people you could ever hope to meet. Runners, crew and the event team, from all over the world, were fantastic. In a world that can sometimes feel like hope is a hard thing to find, we were lucky enough to find a place where you could revitalise your hope in abundance. Thank-you to Lazarus Lake for letting us come to play in your backyard – you’ve given us the joy that we would have found in the backyard as children and everyone has come away a better person for what you have gifted us.
