Dad-of-three completes 26-mile marathon carrying hod of bricks
A dad-of-three has broken a world record for completing a 26 mile marathon - while carrying a hod of BRICKS. Nigel Howell, 48, took to the streets around his home with his four stone haul in the gruelling 24°c heat on Saturday (30/5). Despite fracturing his foot during the event, the construction manager was able to complete a staggering 70 laps of a route around the Coundon area of Coventry. It took eight hours and six minutes for determined Nigel to become the first man to ever carry a hod of bricks on his shoulder over a distance of 26.2 miles (42km). Boxing coach Nigel - who is dubbed the Hodfather - took part in the sponsored marathon to raise thousands of pounds for a baby hospice. He said: "I've done some crazy things with the hod, but this was certainly the hardest one-day event I've ever done."In the words of Mickey from Snatch, 'You stay till the job's done' and that's what I did." Local residents lined the streets to support Nigel with friends and neighbours walking laps alongside him to offer their support. Rosslyn Avenue, where Nigel lives, gave him an emotional hero's welcome on his final lap, cheering him on and playing music in traditional British street party style. Nigel's efforts have raised an additional £1,600 to the £13,000 he's already raised in the last year for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in the Midlands. He added: "I'm lucky enough to have healthy children and I think what the charity do are amazing". The struggling charity has been starved of over 80 per cent of its annual income as the coronavirus outbreak has halted fundraising activities. Joan Stainsby, Executive Trustee at Zoe's Place said: "Volunteers such as Nigel are the lifeblood of Zoe's Place."We are blown away by Nigel's commitment to push himself to the limit". Nigel is no stranger to setting records.
Last year he became the first man to complete the notorious three peaks challenge carrying his hod.He topped the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 22 hours and has also conquered Kilimonjaro in Africa with the bricks.The bricks he carries are hand-painted by the children aged 0-5 that Zoe's Place cares for.
A dad-of-three has broken a world record for completing a 26 mile marathon - while carrying a hod of BRICKS.
Nigel Howell, 48, took to the streets around his home with his four stone haul in the gruelling 24°c heat on Saturday (30/5).
Despite fracturing his foot during the event, the construction manager was able to complete a staggering 70 laps of a route around the Coundon area of Coventry.
It took eight hours and six minutes for determined Nigel to become the first man to ever carry a hod of bricks on his shoulder over a distance of 26.2 miles (42km).
Boxing coach Nigel - who is dubbed the Hodfather - took part in the sponsored marathon to raise thousands of pounds for a baby hospice.
He said: "I've done some crazy things with the hod, but this was certainly the hardest one-day event I've ever done."In the words of Mickey from Snatch, 'You stay till the job's done' and that's what I did." Local residents lined the streets to support Nigel with friends and neighbours walking laps alongside him to offer their support.
Rosslyn Avenue, where Nigel lives, gave him an emotional hero's welcome on his final lap, cheering him on and playing music in traditional British street party style.
Nigel's efforts have raised an additional £1,600 to the £13,000 he's already raised in the last year for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in the Midlands.
He added: "I'm lucky enough to have healthy children and I think what the charity do are amazing".
The struggling charity has been starved of over 80 per cent of its annual income as the coronavirus outbreak has halted fundraising activities.
Joan Stainsby, Executive Trustee at Zoe's Place said: "Volunteers such as Nigel are the lifeblood of Zoe's Place."We are blown away by Nigel's commitment to push himself to the limit".
Nigel is no stranger to setting records.
Last year he became the first man to complete the notorious three peaks challenge carrying his hod.He topped the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales within 22 hours and has also conquered Kilimonjaro in Africa with the bricks.The bricks he carries are hand-painted by the children aged 0-5 that Zoe's Place cares for.
