Record breakers
A group of charity runners from Brecon and Radnorshire are celebrating after they clinched a new Guinness World Record at the Wales Marathon 2019.
More than 60 spirited Powys runners were joined by fellow running enthusiasts from across the UK in a successful bid to break the official Guinness World Record for the most linked runners to complete a marathon.
Countless hours of training and planning paid off when the 122 linked runners forming the Cancer Research Wales team crossed the finish line in six hours and 45 minutes to a hero’s welcome from an appreciative crowd in Tenby town centre. The group’s efforts eclipsed the previous record of 112 linked runners set by a band of Canadian runners in May 2017.
The linked marathon Guinness World Record attempt was the brainchild of Brecon delivery office manager, Neal Gardner, who had broken the same record at the London Marathon 10 years ago.
A decade later and after the record had changed hands numerous times, Neal enlisted the help of Cancer Research Wales events manager, Dale Evans, also from Brecon, to try and reclaim the title while raising funds to support the work of Cancer Research Wales.
Neal lost his mother to cancer when she was just 48-years-old back in 2002. More recently, his friend and colleague, Llandrinodod Wells delivery office manager, Phillip ‘Pip’ Morgan, was diagnosed with throat cancer.
‘We all love Pip as he’s such a lovely man,’ said Neal. ‘Everyone in the team has been affected by, or had loved ones affected by cancer in some way, so this is a really personal cause which is close to many of us.’
After completing the challenge and scooping the Guinness World Record for a second time, Neal said: ‘It’s a day that will live long in the memory of all 122 of our record-breaking runners and friendships have been formed among the group that will last a lifetime.
‘The reception we received as we ran down the red carpet in Tenby to the finish line was simply unforgettable and it was made all the sweeter knowing we had achieved this feat on home soil for the benefit of a brilliant Welsh charity.
‘On behalf of all the runners, I want to thank everyone who donated so generously to this cause and ensured that we were able to make a sizeable contribution to support the ongoing work of Cancer Research Wales.’
Lochgelly postwoman, Susan Taylor, said: ‘The atmosphere was incredible and I was so proud to be one of a number of Royal Mail colleagues and others running together to achieve an amazing world record!’
Dale added: ‘It cannot be overstated what this group has achieved – to have so many runners of all ages and abilities coming together to run 26.2 miles is truly remarkable.
‘As well as breaking a Guinness World Record, our runners’ efforts are also helping to fund important research into the prevention, early diagnosis and better treatment that will benefit cancer patients in Wales and beyond. A massive thank you and congratulations to everyone involved.’
If you would like to contribute towards helping the group reach their £100,000 target for Cancer Research Wales, you can still do so by visiting www.justgiving.com/campaign/walesmarathongwr.
