Jérémie Maillard, our very own Export Sales Director, has set the Guinness World Record for the Fastest Marathon dressed as a Mythical Creature.
Mr Maillard ran the Marathon dressed as a unicorn in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK, a charity close to his heart. He managed to more than quintuple his fundraising target by so far raising over £1300 for the charity.
Mr Maillard said: “Having lost my Dad in 2017 from the disease after suffering from it for over 15 years, I really want to play my part in helping researchers come up with the right medical approach for future generations.
“My Dad was also a keen runner, having completed many half marathons in France. I am sure, had he not been affected by this disease, he would have attempted a marathon at some point.
“The charity does some great work; they are very supportive and friendly and I am proud to have been raising money for them for over ten years! We all know someone who has been affected by this disease and we could be affected ourselves, so it is in the interests of everyone to support this cause!”
Mr Maillard completed the race in a time of 3:26:28, surpassing the previous record by 32 minutes. He has now completed 11 marathons and has now run the London Marathon on five occasions.
However, setting the world record while dressed as a unicorn this year is his proudest athletic achievement to date, receiving national media coverage, including a report on the BBC News and ITV News websites.
“The whole experience was amazing, the support from the crowd from start to finish was unbelievable, making it more manageable when the legs started to feel very tired. Not only have I broken the Guinness World Record, but I have also smashed my personal best when it comes to fundraising, having raised over £1,300 so far for Alzheimer’s Research UK!”
Julia Sobik, Head of Sporting Events at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Dementia affects a significant proportion of the population – one in three people over 65 in the UK will die with some form of the condition. Alzheimer’s and the other forms of dementia are now one of society’s biggest medical challenges, but with research they can be overcome.”
She added: “We are so grateful to Jeremie for his incredible effort at the London Marathon. The money he and all our brilliant #TeamARUK runners have raised will help us in our mission to make life-changing research breakthroughs for people with dementia.”
Everyone at Belzona would like to wish Jérémie massive congratulations and, if anybody would like to make a donation, his JustGiving page is available here here.
Content Creator, Belzona Polymerics Limited
