A runner from Oxfordshire who is gunning for an official world record in a marathon this weekend will have to overcome an itchy wig, a flimsy red nose and the embarrassment of being recognised.

Paul Fernandez, from Radley, near Abingdon, is on course to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the fastest person ever to run 26.2 miles dressed as a clown.

The accomplished long-distance competitor has to beat a time of three hours 24 minutes when he takes on the Gloucester Marathon on Sunday – and his pedigree suggests he could win the race outright.

The 34-year-old said: “My personal best is two hours 39 minutes, which I did at Abingdon last year.

“Gloucester is a small marathon and the winner only did it in two hours 53 minutes last year, so in theory I could be near the front, which could be a bit embarrassing.

“I’m hoping to go 30 seconds a mile slower than my personal best and still come in at under two hours 50 minutes.”

The biology teacher, who has kept his quest secret from pupils at Radley College, struck upon the idea after looking at existing feats of endurance.

He said: “I was looking through world records and I saw that some kid had got one for putting 14 snails on his face or something like that and I thought ‘if he can do that, I want to get a record’.

“I had a look at three-legged half-marathons and registered my interest with a few others, and the Guinness Book of Records sent me some others to try. The clown one stood out.”

Mr Fernandez, who has already completed about half a dozen marathons, trains all year round and runs about 45 miles a week — but he has yet to test his pace in full costume.

He said: “I haven’t trained in it yet. I’m going to leave it to the day so I don’t put myself off.

“I’m a bit worried about the wig, which might be a bit itchy and how I’m going to keep the red nose on. It’s quite a cheap costume and, over a long distance, there could be some irritation.”

He added: “I’ve never done this course before. I’ve heard it’s quite undulating, but a few people have set their personal bests there. I don’t think it will be as easy as Abingdon, which is pretty flat.

“I chose it because I haven’t done it before, so it didn’t matter about a personal best and it’s January so it won’t be too hot in the costume.

“I think it should be fun. Hopefully, nobody recognises me. I’m used to running in shorts and vests, so there could be some chafing because it’s a cheap clown costume, although it is quite light.”

  • Paul Fernandez’s previous triumphs include completing the Ridgeway Challenge, a continuous 85-mile run from Aylesbury to Swindon, in 15 hours, 13 minutes, and running 56 miles from London to Brighton.

His first attempt at a world record was a relay triathlon, which included running from Newcastle to Dover, swimming the English Channel and cycling to Gibraltar.

However, it was not ratified by the Guinness Book Records, due to the difficulty of challengers retracing the route.

His next challenge is to set the official record for the fastest marathon in a Santa Claus costume, which stands at three hours 12 minutes.

After that he has his eyes set on beating the ‘Elvis costume’ record, currently standing at two hours, 53 minutes.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk