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London Marathon: Ex-paratrooper beats backpack record | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An ex-paratrooper has broken a world record at the London Marathon by running with a 40lb (18kg) pack in three hours 25 minutes and 21 seconds. | An ex-paratrooper has broken a world record at the London Marathon by running with a 40lb (18kg) pack in three hours 25 minutes and 21 seconds. |
Mike Ellicock was blown up on a special forces operation to save UK hostages in Sierra Leone, only surviving because he was wearing body armour. | Mike Ellicock was blown up on a special forces operation to save UK hostages in Sierra Leone, only surviving because he was wearing body armour. |
The 37-year-old, from Lewes, East Sussex, has raised more than £20,000 for the Parachute Regiment Charity. | |
He was carrying a weight equivalent to a para's equipment in a rucksack. | He was carrying a weight equivalent to a para's equipment in a rucksack. |
Serving as a platoon commander in 1 Para, Mr Ellicock was flown to Sierra Leone in September 2000 to take part in the rescue of five soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment taken hostage by a rebel militia. | Serving as a platoon commander in 1 Para, Mr Ellicock was flown to Sierra Leone in September 2000 to take part in the rescue of five soldiers from the Royal Irish Regiment taken hostage by a rebel militia. |
His unit was caught in what Mr Ellicock describes as a Vietnam-style exchange of red and green tracer bullets. | His unit was caught in what Mr Ellicock describes as a Vietnam-style exchange of red and green tracer bullets. |
'Worst of wounded' | 'Worst of wounded' |
Mr Ellicock, who now runs an education charity, was wounded in his arms, fingers and legs and had to be evacuated from the scene by helicopter. | Mr Ellicock, who now runs an education charity, was wounded in his arms, fingers and legs and had to be evacuated from the scene by helicopter. |
His mother was told: "One man is dead, 11 are wounded. I am sorry, Mike is the worst of the wounded. We know nothing more." | |
Mr Ellicock said: "Luckily, we had decided that we were going to wear body armour and helmets because we were going in at first light and it was still quite cool. | |
"Usually the heat wouldn't allow for that, and it saved my life for sure." | "Usually the heat wouldn't allow for that, and it saved my life for sure." |
One member of the SAS was killed, but all the hostages made it out alive. | One member of the SAS was killed, but all the hostages made it out alive. |
The previous Guinness World Record for running the marathon carrying an equivalent weight was set by a Japanese athlete at three hours and 42 minutes at the Tokyo Marathon in February. | |
The record for the London Marathon - four hours and one minute - was held by a Royal Marine. | |
To make the weight, Mr Ellicock packed a sleeping bag, climbing rope, biology textbook, ankle weights and "random bits of clothing". |
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