Runner gears up to attempt world record at BTR Skyline Liverpool Half Marathon

A runner from Southport is attempting to break a Guinness World Record at this month’s BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon – and is appealing for a helping hand on the day.

Forty-five-year-old Paul Warrington from Birkdale will be running the 13.1-mile race on Sunday 12 September dressed in full hockey goalkeeper kit. He must beat a time of two hours 45 minutes to break the current record.

Entries are still open for the 28^th annual BTR Liverpool Skyline Half Marathon, which also includes a 10-mile race. The event boasts a grandstand start and finish area at Pier Head Liverpool.

Paul, who is a member of Southport & Waterloo Athletics Club, must be accompanied throughout the race to ensure he meets the challenge criteria.

On the day Paul must wear a helmet, chest protector, elbow protectors, hard pads on both legs, padded shorts, leg guards, hand pads and shoe pads. The kit weighs 12lbs, and that’s before he adds a standard running kit or his water hydration pack.

The rules state that Paul must be accompanied throughout the race by an independent witness, ideally a fellow runner who is taking part in the race.

Paul’s race day companion will need to photograph him passing every mile marker and confirm he completed the race in full kit. He can take a breather and remove items of kit – but must not move forward until the kit is complete.

The challenge started as a joke with his hockey playing daughter. But after scouring the record books during lockdown, Paul found his challenge. He has been training in full kit including at his local parkrun at Hesketh Park.

Paul is using the record attempt as his motivation to fundraise for Cancer Research UK. His father-in-law was diagnosed with lymphoma in Summer 2020, and after six months of chemotherapy is now in recovery.

You can donate on Paul’s Giving Page.

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