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David Smith World Record Run At Clowne Half Marathon

David Smith’s top effort at Clowne Half Marathon

Charity fundraiser David Smith relied on a higher power for his World Record attempt at Clowne Half Marathon on Sunday (24 November). His aim was to be the runner who wore the most T-shirts during a half marathon.

David Smith embarked on a series of challenges this year to fundraise for Sands – the stillbirth and neonatal death charity who cared for him and his family following the loss of his grandson Theo. He has completed the majority of the challenges dressed as Scooby Doo and accompanied by Scooby’s 2019 Angels.

Clowne Half Marathon was his 50th event and he wore 76 T-shirts, each one for a baby or ‘Angel’ who died prematurely. Most of these T-shirts were, appropriately, white in colour and David carried a list of their names attached to his Sands race vest. A group of women ran with him as witnesses to his attempt.

He was one of many runners who achieved their goal at this award-winning race from Clowne Road Runners which had a new start time of 9.00am and 9.30am for the Fun Run, and a small change to the route. The course had also undergone ‘flood drainage’ beforehand thanks to team of volunteers who dug ditches, enabling enabled water to drain away in the final two mile section.

Runners - including one participant dressed as a clown - followed an undulating course from Clowne High Street, through the surrounding villages before finishing at Clowne Community Centre.

Mark Couldwell of Charnwood AC was the winner in 1:14:40; Helen Beck of Wakefield District Harriers & AC won the women’s race in 1:27:28.

David Smith finished in 2:24:41 and set a new Guinness World Record (to be ratified).

Image courtesy of David Smith

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