James Read, a 45-year-old Salisbury resident, played a pivotal role in achieving a new Guinness World Record at the London Marathon. Alongside nine other runners, Read participated in the fastest marathon ever completed by a ten-person costume team. Their attire? A collective representation of a red London bus. The group completed the challenging route in an impressive six hours, 32 minutes, and five seconds, surpassing the previous record by approximately 23 minutes.
For Read, the London Marathon held on Sunday, April 21, marked a significant milestone. It was not only his first marathon but also the furthest distance he had ever covered in a single run. Reflecting on the experience, Read expressed his sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to such a remarkable achievement.
Among the ten-person costume team were individuals like Frances Walker, Petr Maslov, Aileen Rice-Jones, Daniel Smith, Alex Weight, Kate Rham, Cameron Sharpe, and Michael Edwards. Each member played an integral role in securing the Guinness World Record, demonstrating teamwork, determination, and endurance throughout the marathon.
The inspiration behind Read’s marathon endeavor stemmed from his friend, Jackie Scully, a 42-year-old resident of Greenwich. Scully, who runs a content marketing agency in London, has been breast cancer-free for a decade. Having known Scully for eight years through their professional relationship—she was a client of Read’s web design company, Giant Peach—Read admired her resilience and determination.
Speaking about Scully, Read described her as “quite an inspiration.” Her journey served as a motivating force for Read to embark on his marathon journey and ultimately contribute to a significant cause.
Receiving a Guinness World Record was an unexpected and thrilling achievement for Read. He expressed his delight, stating, “It’s pretty cool. Of all the certificates I’ve got up on my wall—there’s not many people who can say they’re a world record holder.”
Beyond the personal accolades, Read and his team had a broader mission—to raise funds for charity. Together, they collected nearly £36,000, which will be distributed among three charitable organizations: Breast Cancer Now, Macmillan Cancer Support, and the Willow Foundation. Their fundraising efforts underscored their commitment to supporting those affected by cancer and making a positive impact on their communities.
In summary, James Read’s participation in the London Marathon not only resulted in a Guinness World Record but also exemplified the power of teamwork, determination, and philanthropy. His journey serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating the potential to achieve extraordinary feats while making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
