Madison’s Whitehead To Attempt World record
MADISON- “I believe this was on my bucket list I didn’t know was there,” explained Josh Whitehead on what will be his attempt to set a new Guinness World Record in the Rocket City Marathon this Saturday in Huntsville.
The 39-year old and winner of the 2013 Rocket City Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 25 seconds will try his “legs” at setting a new world record of running a marathon in a three-piece suit under 2 hours, 44 minutes. The current world record was set in Australia in September after the record of 2:58 stood for several years. He feels he can set the new record in what will be his 14th marathon race after becoming a competition runner at age 29 after years of being a cyclist.
“Since in high school I always looked at records that were set in cycling, but it never occurred to me that one day I would have the chance to break a world record in any athletic endeavor,” said Whitehead, who, like his wife, Deanna, is an engineer for NASA. “I’m always up for a challenge and the Rocket City Marathon is near and dear to my heart so I’d like to help get some publicity for what I think is one of the best marathon races in the country.”
Whitehead has received the assistance from Men’s Wearhouse which made a full costumed suit to fit his size and build (5-foot-6, 117 pounds). His black in color three-piece suit is made of wool and elastic, which provides plenty of flexibility, and has extra ventilated vents to help keep him cool during the race. He contacted Men’s Warehouse’s corporate headquarters in Dallas about having a special suit made for his world record attempt. Local store manager Joe Hesti has been extremely helpful and supportive of Whitehead’s endeavor.
Whitehead will also wear a neon green dress shirt along with neon green shoes supplied to him by New Balance.
He wore the suit and shoes during a test run in October at the UCP Shoals Half Marathon. The suit seemed to fare well during the race, which Whitehead won with a time of 1:18.
“I contacted the Guinness World Records and they accepted my official world record attempt,” said Whitehead. “There was a lot of paperwork I had to fill out to be pre-approved, plus I have to have lots of evidence that is required post-race. I have a few people who are helping me document my race.”
In both 2015 and 2016, Whitehead won the Road Runners Club of America 50K Ultra Marathon National Road Championships. He currently owns as many as 40 age group marks in Alabama. He and Deanna are both avid runners, work for NASA and tend to their three children. The entire family has been supportive and will be along the course to cheer on a possible world record.
The 2017 Rocket City Marathon begins at 7:00 a.m. with race course winding through the streets of Huntsville ending inside the arena of the Von Braun Center. The race is held by the Huntsville Track Club.
“I received a huge discount on my suit as it was less than if I had rented a tuxedo,” said Whitehead with a laugh.
