Michael Wiggins will attempt to break a unique Guinness World Record at this year’s London Marathon as the spotlight also turns to Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, who is set to make his highly anticipated debut in the event on April 27.
Wiggins, a seasoned runner from Streatham in south-west London, will run the marathon dressed as a traffic cone — aiming to beat the current costume world record time of 3 hours and 22 minutes.
It will be his 18th London Marathon since 1999, but his first in fancy dress. The 47-year-old is using the challenge to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, inspired by the recent diagnoses of three close friends.
“I’ve got three good friends that I’ve known for years, all in their early 60s now, who had prostate cancer in the last five years,” said Wiggins. “Although they are 10 or 12 years older than me, it’s still a shock. If it saves one extra life, that’s worth doing.”
Wiggins, a member of the Clapham Pioneers running club, has trained in the cone-shaped costume, which he says matches the club’s colours. He joins over 260 runners supporting the same charity, with a collective goal of raising more than £720,000 for prostate cancer research.
While Wiggins races for a cause, elite eyes will be on Uganda’s Jacob Kiplimo, the world half marathon record holder, as he takes on the full 42.195km distance for the first time.
Kiplimo is part of a world-class field that includes defending champion Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, Ethiopia’s Kenenisa Bekele, and Britain’s Emile Cairess, who will be making his own return after a breakthrough performance in 2023.
The elite women’s line-up is equally competitive, headlined by Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir and reigning London winner Sifan Hassan.
The international field also features Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa, Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, and British marathon record holder Charlotte Purdue.
