This Sunday, Men’s Mixed Captain and club stalwart Ian Martin is attempting to break the world record for the fastest half marathon – in hockey goalkeeper kit!
This is all for a good cause, with half the donations going to Hockey for Heroes and half to the Bath Rugby Foundation.
To break the record, Ian has to finish in under 2h45 – good luck Ian!
To donate, please follow the Link to Ian’s justgiving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ianmartin-gwr
Read his story below:
I first became involved with Bath Rugby Foundation, the charity side of Bath Rugby Club, through my work. I regularly sell raffle tickets in the hospitality suites, offering fans of the Blue, Black and White the chance to win a home shirt signed by one of the Bath squad.
The Foundation believes every child in Bath and North East Somerset deserves an equal opportunity, and therefore the chance to succeed. They do this by using the core values of rugby to help develop young people mentally and physically.
Having run the Bath Half in a giant rugby ball in 2018, on the15 March 2020, I intended to run the Bath Half Marathon again in fancy dress, but this time as a Field Hockey Goalkeeper. I have also been in touch with Guinness World Records and have logged it as an attempt to run the “Fastest Half Marathon wearing Field Hockey Goalkeeping Kit”.
Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 outbreak this attempt was postponed and now will be taking place on the 16 October 2022.
WHY FIELD HOCKEY GOALKEEPING KIT?
I took up field hockey many years ago whilst undertaking the physical section of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Being new to the team I was placed in defence. This quickly changed half way through my first season when I made the move to “between the sticks” when our keeper became injured and I was the only willing candidate. Today I’m still playing hockey for Clifton Robinsons but have moved out of goal and now play on the wing trying to score goals rather than keeping them out!
