World's slowest marathon runner inches through the Wharf

By John Hill on April 18, 2008 3:19 PM |

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THE SLOWEST man ever to complete the London marathon is set to crush last year's record.

Creeping competitor Greg Billingham inched into Canary Wharf on Friday, five days after the rest of the field charged through the estate.

The self-styled "Mr Slow Motion" completed last year's 26.2 mile event in 88 hours, and he reckons he will clear the 100-hour mark this year due to the amount of special visits he has been asked to make along the route.

Greg talked to The Wharf before he popped in to visit children at River House School in Heron Quays. Anyone foolish enough to hold the door open for him may have had to miss classes.

He said: "I'm definitely on track to get a slower time. It's going to be at least 25 hours more than last year. I reckon I'm doing a slightly longer route because I'm meeting so many people.
"I even did a slow-motion detour through ASDA in Crossharbour earlier on to get some sandwiches. The problem with running the marathon for such a long time is that you've got to do your shopping while you're running.
"I've had to increase my shoe size from 11 to 12 because of the swelling. But I'm through the pain barrier now, and I'm just feeling numb."

Greg's is performing his languid odyssey for Get Kids Going, a national charity based in Wapping which provides disabled children and young people with sports wheelchairs.

The charity was set up 10 years ago to encourage youngsters from five to 26 to compete in sport, and have aided disabled athletes such as three-time London Marathon wheelchair race winner David Weir. Go to www.getkidsgoing.com for more information.

Greg hopes to raise £2 million for the charity, and is also selling a chilled-out single entitled "I've Got a Plan" at www.indiestore.com/slowmodancer. You can still donate to Greg's tortoise-like trek at www.justgiving.com/slow