'I'm trying to break a world record in my wellies'

As thousands of athletes prepare to slip on their trainers to take on the London Marathon Laura Stenton-Slater will be lining up in something a little less suited to running - a pair of wellington boots.

The 37-year-old from Sheffield has likened the challenge she faces to her family's fight to diagnose her son with a rare chromosome disorder, which she described as like "going through mud".

Running for Unique, a charity supporting those affected by gene and chromosome conditions, her aim is to set a new world record for completing the event in wellies - although raising awareness is "more important", she said.

"As much as it'd be a novelty, it has given me a platform to share the story, and opened up a network for others with the same condition."

Laura said Unique's support network had been a great help in connecting her with other families that shared the same experience when she was "feeling really lost" when her son was diagnosed with a rare chromosome disorder 10 years ago.

"Now my son's a young adult, we wouldn't be where we are with the confidence levels if it wasn't for Unique," she said.

"So I wanted to make this not just a challenge but [similar] to what our journey was like at the start."

Although she's a keen trail runner, next weekend's race will be Laura's first marathon - and certainly the furthest she'll ever have run in wellies.

To prepare, Laura has tackled about 20 training attempts in the wellies, which she said has resulted in a few odd looks and questions while out in Sheffield.

Her running style has become a "stomping motion" in the boots, she said, with her biggest worry being keeping the blisters at bay.

Her shed has become "a welly lab" she explained, trying out different ways to make them easier on the feet - although Guinness World Record requirements are strict.

"The first time I started running in my wellies, I realised I was burning up because it's like wearing a hot suit on the bottom half of your body," she said.

"I modified them by putting little vents inside them thinking, 'oh, I'm a genius' but it would be classed as modification and I'd be disqualified straight away."

To set a new record, Laura has to beat the current time of three hours, 59 minutes and 57 seconds, set by Becky Lafford at the London Marathon in 2023.

"I've now got a time pressure against me, but I'm kind of laughing," she explained.

"If I don't achieve it that's not a problem, because I can crown myself the second fastest woman, so that's still top ten isn't it?"

According to her, the support she's received, especially on social media where she's posted regular updates, has made any blister worth it.

"I've found a corner of the web where runners support runners," Laura said.

"What sounded a stupid idea in the beginning, it sort of became a snowball effect.

"Now I've got a tiny army of welly supporters, and I'm very thankful".

Laura's already got her next marathon booked in - and it may not be the last time her trainers are swapped for something quirkier.

"If everything goes to plan for this marathon, next year's could be a different choice of footwear to try and get another Guinness World record," she added.

"So let's get across this finish line and then it could be flippers or flip-flops. So who knows what next year could bring."

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