London Daily News

Postie’s marathon attempt to deliver new Guinness World Record 

A Royal Mail driver is attempting a very special delivery in trying to break the Guinness World Record at the 2023 TCS London Marathon by running in his postie uniform. 

The current world record for the fastest marathon dressed as a postal worker currently stands at 3:45:06. 

Now, Ian Stewart, from Stratford, East London, hopes to put his stamp on that record and raise a sackful of money for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) while he’s at it.

Ian who has always been a keen runner, regularly running half marathons and 10ks, will be attempting his first marathon after winning the place through a ballot at work.

The 45-year-old HGV driver said: “Initially, when I found out I got a place I was hoping to complete the marathon in under five hours. But now I’ve set my eyes on beating the world record I’ve got to get that to under three hours 45 minutes. 

While it would be incredible to be an official record holder, my main goal is to make it to the finish line while raising as much money as I can for the BHF.”

Ian’s training has been nothing short of ‘first-class’ so far, and he said he’s “quietly confident at the moment.” To make sure he delivers on time he’s also been out practicing in his Royal Mail gear to get used to what he’ll have to wear on the day.

“There are some very strict rules for the record to be official,” said Ian. “Thankfully, I can run in trainers, but the rest of the outfit needs to be official postal trousers, a shirt, tie, jacket, hat and mailbag – which had to weigh at least 5kg. Perhaps I can fill it with some good luck messages!

I train in all the gear when I do my long runs on weekends, as it’s not the normal running clothing I’m used to. The bag can be a bit tricky as it moves around my back, and the further I run, the heavier it starts to feel. But that’s what makes the record a bit more challenging.”

Ian will have to see a Guinness World Record adjudicator before the start of the race, who will also put a seal on his bag so he can’t take things out as he runs. 

He added: “My friends and family have been really encouraging but when I tell them what I’m running in, they think I’m crazy. A marathon is hard enough, let alone running in my postal uniform with a weighted bag! Work have been so supportive with my fundraising too and have said they’ll match whatever I raise.”

The BHF is Royal Mail’s national charity partner, with the four-year partnership aiming to raise £2 million to fund the Community Hearts Programme. This aims to train staff and one million children in CPR, fund hundreds of lifesaving defibrillators in communities and develop accessible heart health information for the nation. Money raised by Ian will go into this Community Hearts Programme.

Ian said: “I’m really glad that I’m running for the BHF. When you’re just running for yourself it can be hard, but when you’ve got a cause greater than you, and you know that what you’re doing will help someone else or even help save lives, it makes it easier.”

Ian will be joining over 700 other Team BHF runners on Sunday 23 April, all with the added goal of helping to fund the BHF’s life-saving research. There are around 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK and it’s estimated that 460 people die from these conditions each day – that’s one every three minutes. 

Karen McDonnell, Senior Events Manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said: “We never fail to be inspired by the incredible stories of our supporters, and Ian is no exception.

We’re in awe of his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon time dressed as a postal worker. He’s certainly got our stamp of approval here at the BHF and we wish him the best of luck in his delivery of a lifetime.” 

To help Ian reach his fundraising target, visit his Sponsor Me page here.

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