20 April 2023 , 11:25
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An NHS worker is aiming to set a new Guinness World Record at the London Marathon on Sunday in honour of the tragedies that have befallen his best friend.
Dad-of-two Ben Hardy will attempt to run the 26-mile race dressed as a tractor and hopes to beat the current record of 4 hours 50 minutes.
Ben, 33, is raising funds for the UK's leading baby loss charity Tommy's, alongside colleague and pal Ryan Willday, who has devastatingly lost six babies in four years.
Ryan, 29, and his wife Rosie, 28, do not know the cause of their recurrent miscarriages and Ben wanted to help them raise awareness of the cause and charity Tommy's.
Dad-of-two Ben has been training in an 8kg weighted vest to prepare (Ben Hardy)
He is aiming to break the world record of 4 hours 50 mins in a tractor costume (Ben Hardy)Ben, from Leicestershire, told the Mirror: "I wanted to do something nice for Ryan and Rosie to show my support.
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"It's all for an amazing cause and I'll be proud if I beat the record, but it's more about awareness for Tommy's."
Ben ran the London Marathon in October 2022 for the first time in 4 hours 33 minutes and says it's a "great atmosphere".
He did not wear a costume that time and managed to raise just under £3,500 for Royal Leicester Infirmary after the hospital cared for his premature baby boy.
"My son was born prematurely nine-weeks early and I wanted to give back to the neonatal team," he explained.
This year, he persuaded Ryan to sign up with him and the duo were "shocked" when they got a place.
"I've only worn the costume twice, but I have been training in a 8kg weighted vest," Ben explained. "It's a lot harder wearing the tractor.
"If it's a windy day, it will be a nightmare. I have to use a lot more upper body strength to grip hold of it."
The bright green tractor weighs 5kg and isn't an easy task to carry (Ben Hardy)
An official world record judicator will be waiting for Ben at the finish line (Ben Hardy)The tractor costume, which has been sponsored by Farmers Weekly and numerous brands, weighs 5kg in total.
"I'm looking forward to this year and witnessing Ryan's first marathon. We're going to run together and enjoy it," Ben said.
There will be an official Guinness World Record judicator waiting for Ben at the finish line this Sunday.
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Ben's wife Jessica, 31, four-year-old son Elias and two-year-old daughter Hettie will also be cheering him on, as well as colleagues and friends.
Ben and Ryan work together in medical records at Leicester Infirmary and have known each other since 2014.
"I've seen how much Ryan and Rosie have been through and I really want to raise as much awareness as possible for Tommy's," Ben said.
Ryan added: "There was only one charity I could do it for."
The pair are hoping to raise £2,500. You can donate to their fundraiser online.