Look: 10 people run half-marathon in caterpillar costume
Look: 10 people run half-marathon in Derby, England, linked inside one 60-foot caterpillar costume built from children's play tunnels — and their Guinness World Record application is now pending review after the Tutbury Running Club finished Sunday's Ramathon in two hours, eight minutes, and 51 seconds. The team has applied for the fastest half-marathon in a 10-person suit, a category Guinness does not yet list online.
Key Takeaways
- Tutbury Running Club's 10 runners completed the 13.1-mile Ramathon while wearing a single connected caterpillar costume.
- The 60-foot suit was built from sections of children's play tunnels.
- The team finished in 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 51 seconds and has applied to Guinness World Records.
- Runner Craig Robson said the group never practiced together before race day.
- Organizer Jane Tomlinson's Run For All praised the stunt as a community highlight of the Derby event.
What Happened at the Ramathon in Derby?
When you look, people run halfmarathon routes every weekend — but rarely like this. A British running club's 10 members donned one caterpillar costume together to attempt a Guinness World Record at a half-marathon, UPI reported on July 1.
The Tutbury Running Club took on the Ramathon half-marathon in Derby on Sunday while wearing the oversized outfit. Jane Tomlinson's Run For All staged the 13.1-mile course.
How Did the Team Build and Run in a 60-Foot Caterpillar?
The caterpillar costume measured 60 feet in length. It was assembled from sections of children's play tunnels as the linked runners moved through Derby's streets.
Running club member Craig Robson told the BBC the members were unable to practice together before the race. "It was an absolute logistical nightmare but with grit and determination we did it," he said in comments reported by the broadcaster.
Coordinating pace and tunnel sections over 13.1 miles without a full dress rehearsal made the finish time of 2:08:51 all the more striking for spectators and fellow racers.
Are They Getting a Guinness World Record?
The team has applied to Guinness World Records for the title of fastest half-marathon in a 10-person costume. That specific category is not currently listed on the record-keeping organization's website, according to UPI.
Until Guinness reviews the submission, the Derby run stands as a completed race and a pending record bid rather than a certified title. Approval would add a new entry to the record book for this group size and distance.
What Did Race Organizers Say About the Stunt?
Jane Tomlinson's Run For All congratulated the Tutbury group after the finish. The organization said the run reflected the spirit of its community events — personal challenges, mutual support, and memorable moments whether runners are fundraising, chasing fitness goals, or simply enjoying the day.
"The team at Run For All congratulates Tutbury Running Club on their incredible accomplishment and is proud that they chose Ramathon as the stage for this record-breaking success," the group said in a news release.
Stories like this land squarely in the world of offbeat endurance feats — the same lane as other head-turning runs we cover in Bizarre News & Florida Man. For now, Derby has a very long caterpillar and a very patient wait for Guinness.