London Marathon 2015: The race where Mona Lisa goes neck-and-neck with a T.rex
Introducing five of this year's extreme charity runners
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For some, the idea of running 26 miles and 385 yards in the company of 37,000 or so fellow athletes isn’t quite challenging enough. For them, a marathon isn’t really a marathon unless they’re tied to another runner, for example, or dressed as a gorilla. This year’s London Marathon will see many running for charity, to earn a place in the record books, or both. Indeed, the event has netted more than £700m since 1981. Here are five of this year’s extreme charity runners.
Ian Bates
Dinosaur
Ian Bates, 44, from Crawley, is hoping to set a new record running in a 3D dinosaur costume. To make it, he needs to finish in six hours or less wearing his 38kg T rex costume.
Donations: justgiving.com/bates44
Gemma Kirkham
Masterpiece
Gemma Kirkham, 33, ran her first Marathon some years ago, but this year, dressed as Mona Lisa she aims to set a world record for the fastest framed painting.
Donations: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Marathonmona
Natalie Eckert
High-heeled runner
In February, Natalie Eckert, 37, from Stoke, ran in heels for 24 hours in a charity event. She says her 3in heels for the London Marathon feel like “slippers”.
Donation: justgiving.com/teams/teamstiletto
Debbie Leeland & Paula Marshall
Three-legged runners
It’s not Debbie Leeland and Paula Marshall’s first Marathon, but it’s the first tied together at the ankles. They’re hoping to raise £3,500.
Donations: virginmoneygiving.com/vmlm2015_3-legged
Rob Young
Marathon Man
Rob Young, 32, from Richmond, south London, is attempting to complete a staggering 370 marathons in a year, after being inspired by fundraisers at the 2014 London Marathon. He hopes to raise £100,000 for charity.
Donations: marathonmanuk.com
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