Guinness World Records smashed at Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon as charity fund-raisers go the extra mile

Records were smashed as charity fund-raisers went the extra mile at a town’s half marathon yesterday.

Thousands of participants, spectators and volunteers descended on Ipswich Town’s Portman Road stadium and the wider town streets for the Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon.

The race kicked off at 9.30am outside the football ground, as the 13.1 mile circuit took runners around many of the town’s landmarks including the Waterfront, Holywells Park and the River Orwell.

Members of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service took part running in firefighting gear, and while not officially verified by Guinness World Records as yet, Run For All has announced the current timings show the crew are the new record holders.

Bury St Edmunds crew manager Paul Shattock attempted the fastest half marathon in firefighter PPE and while ‘under air’, which weighed in at about 57 kilograms

Ipswich East crew members Grant Whitehead and George Trott took the challenge of fastest half marathon in the same gear but not ‘under air’, while Ashley Buxton wore a full training kit and breathing equipment.

Tristan Batley-Kyle, operations director at Run For All, said: “A huge well done and thank you to all participants who joined us for one of Suffolk’s flagship running events.

“The enthusiasm and support from everyone involved, from the participants to the many spectators, sponsors, partners and volunteers, all ensured the day was a great success.

“It was a fantastic day of running and fund-raising for all abilities and ages.

Raising money for charities was at the heart of the event, with a theme of ‘fun and fund raising’.

Runners were encouraged out on the course by town entertainment groups including Ipswich Rock Choir and Salvation Army Brass Band.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds were raised on the day, including the team of four firefighters who, at present, have raised nearly £5,400 for The Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research UK.

Alongside the race, the event also included the new Larking Gowen Ipswich Corporate Challenge. Several organisations took part vying to be crowned Ipswich’s fastest business, with the results of this expected in the coming days.

Graham Mummery, partner at Larking Gowen said “We’re delighted to support the local community and people with their health and wellbeing.

“We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Run For All and we’re delighted to be there, supporting all the runners and greeting them at the finish line with their medals.

“It was a great event, huge congratulations to all runners.”

While charity was at the forefront of the day, there was also some competitive elite races.

In the men’s race, Jack Nixon won with a time of 1:08:03, while in the women’s Claire Jacobs took the crown in 1:20:27.

Entries are now open for the 2025 Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon, which will be staged on Sunday, September 21, 2025.