Photo by Peter McIntosh.
A Dunedin runner and his daughter are out to smash a
world record in Outram on Sunday.
University of Otago research fellow Dougal Thorburn (31) and
daughter Audrey (2), seen practising yesterday in Woodhaugh
Gardens, will try to break the Guinness world record for the
fastest 10km run while pushing a pram.
The attempt will take place during the Hill Free 10km race,
using a non-modified Chariot pram, because the records had to
be made on an officially measured course, using a
commercially available pram with a child inside.
Dr Thorburn, of Northeast Valley, was "pretty confident" he
and Audrey would beat the 34min 19sec record set by
Australian Russell Stokes in 2008.
In July, Dr Thorburn recorded an unofficial time of 33min
11sec.
The weather forecast for Sunday looked favourable, with
little wind to hinder his run, he said.
A puncture, an injury, or Audrey becoming too restless were
unpredictable factors on race day, Dr Thorburn said.
"I'm in good nick at the moment ... And [Audrey] is used to
being in the pram. There's a 50% chance she will go to
sleep."
The run was also a celebration of the time spent exercising
with Audrey and elder daughter Lucy (5).
"We've clocked up around 15,000km in the five years I have
had the pram," he said.
The run would also promote the benefits of sustainable
transport, he said.
Vehicles accounted for about half the carbon dioxide
emissions in the world, so people should combine physical
activity and transportation, he said.
Short car trips could be replaced with walking, running or
cycling, he said.
The idea for the record attempt came from banter on a running
blog, he said.
If he broke the record, he expected many retired runners to
dust off their trainers and have a crack.
The race starts at the Outram Community Hall in Formby St at
9.30am on Sunday.
- Shawn McAvinue.
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