Marathon man aims to break graduation gown record

1 hour ago

Gavin Kermackin Worcester

Chris Garratt will be wearing full graduation regalia as he tackles the course between Greenwich Park and The Mall

Gavin Kermack / BBC A man with a bushy light/dark grey beard stands smiling at the camera. He is wearing a black mortarboard and a mid-blue suit with a dark blue tie under a black graduation gown. Behind him is a grey brick building with a sign reading: "University of Worcester". — Chris Garratt will be wearing full graduation regalia as he tackles the course between Greenwich Park and The Mall

As athletes from around the world enter their last few weeks of training before the 2026 London Marathon, one entrant is planning an academic twist on the race.

Chris Garratt is planning to run the 26.2 mile (42.2km) course wearing full university graduation dress, in aid of student welfare at the university where he works.

Garratt, who works at the University of Worcester, is hoping his effort will set a new world record for the fastest marathon run in a graduation gown - but he also has to wear a full suit underneath.

"The only saving grace is I can wear trainers," said Garratt.

"When I first looked at it, I thought it would be quite easy," he added. "I have to wear the graduation gown itself, the mortarboard, and a graduation cape.

"What I didn't realise is I also have to wear a full suit - so it's a three piece suit and a tie.".

The event will be the 50-year-old's sixth London Marathon - and his third world record bid.

Garratt made an unsuccessful attempt to set a new record for running a marathon dressed as a lumberjack in 2023

University of Worcester The man from the above picture with a slightly less bushy beard, wearing a black beanie hat and a red and black lumberjack shirt. — Garratt made an unsuccessful attempt to set a new record for running a marathon dressed as a lumberjack in 2023

In 2023, he attempted to set a new record for the fastest marathon run in a lumberjack outfit.

"That was slightly more difficult than this in a way because I had to wear boots," said Garratt. "It was horrible."

That attempt was unsuccessful - but later that year, he did manage to break the record for the fastest half marathon dressed as a lumberjack at the Worcester City Runs.

Garratt is aiming to complete the marathon in under three and a half hours to beat the current record.

But he is aware his outfit will present challenges.

"If it's warm, I am going to overheat pretty quickly," he said.

"There's a lot of things that could fly around - it's like having a cape on.

"And then the hat - if I shake my head it stays on, but whether it's going to stay on for 26 miles, I'm not sure."

Trainers are the only sensible part of Garratt's marathon attire

Gavin Kermack / BBC A shot from above of a pair of feet in bright blue trainers standing on a patch of grass. The legs above them are in blue check suit trousers. — Trainers are the only sensible part of Garratt's marathon attire

Garratt is hoping to raise £500 for the student hardship and scholarship fund at the University, where he has worked for nearly 30 years.

"It could make a difference to students that are struggling financially," he explained. "Just like everyone right now, students are struggling too.

"Student nurses in particular have to study and go into hospitals - it's a massive workload for them.

"To try and do a part-time job on top of that is extremely difficult, so the fact they can tap into the hardship fund to buy food for that week could be the difference between them staying in and becoming a nurse, or having to drop out.

"I just want to give something back to the students."

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