This Sunday Phil Sweatman, 49, hopes to beat the 4.55.00 record as the fastest marathon runner dressed as a heavy-duty vehicle in the male category.
A keen and experienced runner from Kent, Phil Sweatman, will be taking on his Guinness World Record attempt whilst dressed as a Fendt tractor to honour his sons late best friend, Ben Hammond, who had a real passion for tractors and agriculture.
Ben Hammond, aged 15, tragically passed away in 2016 of an undiagnosed heart condition. Phil Sweatman is raising money for the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young. CRY helped Mr Hammond’s family after he passed away. After Bens death, a small group of friends and family formed a fundraising group called Team Ben Hammond. Team Ben Hammond fundraises to raise awareness and funds for heart screenings charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY).
Phil approached Crawfords and Fendt for sponsorship to get the build of the Fendt Tractor suit off the ground, both companies were delighted to say yes. “We are really proud to be supporting Phil in his quest to achieve the world record for the fastest marathon male runner dressed as a heavy-duty vehicle. All whilst raising money for a fantastic charity in memory of a young Kent lad who had a passion for agriculture. Go Phil, you’ll smash it!” Says Hannah Kelsey, Crawfords Marketing Manager.
In 2020 the London Marathon was postponed so the tractor was parked up until the various lockdowns had passed. But as soon as the lockdowns were over, Phil was back running. Phil vouched to run every day for the past year to prepare!
“I’m just going to give it my best shot. It’s all about raising awareness of cardiac arrests in young people.” Says Phil.
