Gill Punt, a 54-year-old teacher from Essex, has achieved a remarkable feat by breaking the world record for the fastest marathon run in a polar bear costume. Competing in the PolarNight Marathon in Tromso, Norway, Punt completed the race in an impressive time of 4 hours, 58 minutes, and 29 seconds.
The marathon featured a challenging mountainous course under dark conditions, with temperatures plummeting to around 14 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius). Punt's unique attire not only showcased her adventurous spirit but also garnered her the Guinness World Records title for 'fastest marathon in a costume of a mammal (female)'.
In addition to her record-breaking achievement, Punt's participation in the marathon served a noble cause. She raised $25,628 for the charity Cancer Research U.K., bringing her total fundraising efforts for the organization to approximately $2.39 million over the years. Punt’s motivation for her charitable work stems from a personal loss; she lost her father to bile duct cancer at a young age.