A BARNSLEY firefighter picked up his SECOND world record on Sunday after he ran the London Marathon in his full kit but after raising thousands for a charity close to his heart he admits this record may be his last.
Mark Peart, 38, is the current station manager at both Penistone and Cudworth stations but has worked all across the borough during his 18-year tenure at South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
Back in 2023, Mark received his first Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a firefighter’s uniform and breathing apparatus with a time of four hours, 42 minutes and five seconds.
Not content with just one, he returned to the capital on Sunday to pick up his second, smashing the previous record and running in full kit in a time of three hours, two minutes and 57 seconds.
He’s also managed to raise well over £1,000 for the Firefighters’ Memorial Trust a charity close to the hearts of many in the town.
Mark told the Chronicle: “I beat the record in 2023 in breathing apparatus.
“I thought it was a good vehicle for the charity, to get some recognition and support for the Firefighters’ Memorial Trust.
“The London Marathon is iconic so if you’re going to do it anywhere you’re going to do it there.
“I only really signed up to it at the beginning of this year and this one took a little less planning than the other ones.
“It was a bit different doing it alone, whereas previously it felt like a big team effort, having the support of like 12, 13 other people.”
If running over 26 miles wasn’t hard enough coupled with the unforgiving kit he was wearing the temperatures in London soared well over 20 degrees.
He added: “I think the bigger challenge was managing the temperature because the kit isn’t very breathable.
“So it’s not always ideal to be in for a long period of time.
“Guinness set the rules so you can only really disrobe or relax if you stood still which obviously then eats into the time.
“I wanted to do as well as I could do.”
Being the world record holder for a singular activity is one thing, but two is something very few people achieve.
“It’s an added bonus,” he added.
“It makes it extra special to run a marathon, especially London, it’s electric.
“It’s good to be able to just complete one, but obviously to be able to walk away with a record added to that.
“It generates a bit more interest, which then ultimately makes more for the charity which is great.”
Mark says that the idea of raising money for a charity close to his heart is what really spurred him on when things started to get really tough.
He said: “I was raising money for the charity and you think of people that aren’t as lucky to be here.
“You think of them and that really spurs you on.
“You feel almost like a responsibility to do it.
“If you’re able to do it and it’s there to do it, then you probably should, shouldn’t you?”
And after completing yet another marathon, Mark says it may finally be time to hang up his running boots with two world records safely in the bag.
“I’ve said this is the last one,” he added.
“But I did say that last time so you never know.
“I’m quite content at the minute but you can never say never.”
To donate to Mark’s fundraiser, follow the link https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-peart-world-record?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAb21jcARZ8nxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAacXZJ-R3RQijqR2MzD8FnGc3AhwEWCi4Q1opYnlN4up22xfWsUGKa6OjAp7wQ_aem_RUz-_a-gXGjg8iMu6HJcJQ
