Lancaster man's lobster London marathon record

The world will be a Lancaster marathon runner's oyster as he takes his place among long distance running's elite...dressed as a lobster.
Simon Couchman from Lancaster preparing for running the London Marathon dressed as Bob the Lobster on Sunday 24th April.Simon Couchman from Lancaster preparing for running the London Marathon dressed as Bob the Lobster on Sunday 24th April.
Simon Couchman from Lancaster preparing for running the London Marathon dressed as Bob the Lobster on Sunday 24th April.

Simon Couchman, who already holds the Guinness World Record for completing a marathon in an astronaut suit, now aims to repeat the feat, this time in crustacean form.

Simon, 40, who is creative director at Warton-based marketing agency ICG, is completing his training for the London Marathon on Sunday April 24.

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But not content with pounding the capital’s streets in a running vest and shorts, Simon has decided to take on the identity of Bob the Lobster in a bid to raise money for the National Eczema Society. Simon, who suffers from the condition himself as well as asthma, first competed as the Bob 12 years ago.

He said: “This is my 28th marathon and I usually compete in running gear but this year decided to get back in costume to help raise more money for my charity. Someone else is having a go and I’ve heard they are quite fast so I will have to get cracking.”

Simon’s wife Jennifer designed and made his lobster costume with the help of their three-year-old daughter Genevieve. In the last 12 years Simon has run marathons in Rome, Berlin, Preston, Palma and Barcelona and this is his fourth London Marathon.

Simon has had both eczema and asthma since childhood and was unable to take part in sports at school but in his early 20s decided to set his sights on running. He started training and worked his way up from 10k runs and half marathons, before completing his first ever marathon in 2004.

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He said: “Running for the National Eczema Society is a small way of repaying them for the support I have received. I’m feeling confident and hoping for good conditions on the day - if it’s wet, I will be absolutely fine though, I will be dressed as a lobster after all!” Simon hopes to top the current record holder who ran the London Marathon dressed as a crustacean in three hours, 34 minutes, 22 seconds in 2015.

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