Cambridge Dad feathers up for world record rooster run at London Marathon 2025
A Cambridgeshire Dad is aiming to set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time running the London Marathon in an inflatable costume this weekend, whilst raising money for the charity Action for Children.
Sebastian Burley, 35, who lives in Huntingdon with his wife and three-year-old son, will don a giant inflatable chicken outfit and leg it around the gruelling 26.2-mile course this Sunday. To beat the current Guinness World Record, the data analyst needs to come in under four hours and fifteen minutes.
Sebastian was inspired to take on the challenge for Action for Children by his sister-in-law, who works for the national children’s charity, which protects and supports vulnerable children and young people across the UK.
Sebastian said: “I’ve been applying to the London Marathon for over 15 years, so once I was accepted to run for Action for Children, I wanted to do something big and set a Guinness World Record. Each year it’s inspiring to watch the people dressing up and raising money for a good cause, and I wanted to be part of that for an amazing charity like Action for Children.
“I’ve been training since December and learning to get used to running in the suit has been the biggest challenge. The Guinness World Record adjudicator said the costume must be fully inflatable, and that I have to be fully enclosed inside of it, without my head or arms sticking out.
“I’d never worn an inflatable costume before but thought, how hard could it be? It’s been difficult to train inside the costume because I can’t hear much due to the bouncing around and I can’t see as the suit fogs up with condensation. My wife Lizzy has been cycling behind me on the country lanes by our house as I can’t hear cars coming.
“I’m just hoping that it’s not too hot on marathon day as it turns into a greenhouse in there, and I have to pace myself so I don’t overheat. The furthest I’ve run in the suit was the Colchester Half Marathon in March, which was just over 13 miles. It was amazing to hear the crowds make chicken jokes and the kids laughing, so I got a sense of what it will be like on the day for London.”
Sebastian has already surpassed his fundraising goal of raising £1,000 for Action for Children and is hoping to raise even more in this the final week before the London marathon.
He said: “It would be amazing to hold a Guinness World Record to show my son and get him the book for Christmas. Knowing that I can be an inspiration to him while helping vulnerable children is a huge motivation. Even if I don’t achieve the record, knowing I have helped raise awareness and funds for such a worthwhile charity will make all the sweat and tears worth it.”
To sponsor Sebastian’s London Marathon chicken run in aid of Action for Children visit Action for Children: Seb Burley London Marathon as a Big Chicken Fundraising Page.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Ally McLaren, Media Officer, Action for Children: 07779 866303 / [email protected]
Out of hours: 020 3124 0661 / [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITOR: About Action for Children
Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 372 services in local communities across the UK, in schools and online, in 2023/2024 we helped 687,755 children, young people and families. actionforchildren.org.uk
