Two runners from Looe have set a world record after completing the London Marathon inside a giant inflatable elephant. Jo Robinson and Emma Langstaff finished the race in 4:15:40, recording the fastest marathon time ever recorded in a two-person inflatable costume. As members of the Looe Pioneers running club, they took on the challenge to raise money and awareness for type one diabetes.According to the Cornish Times, Emma works as a doctor and treats patients with type one diabetes, while both of Jo’s daughters live with type one diabetes. The pair had trained only twice in the costume before race day, but worked together to manage shorter steps and a matching cadence. Their run also followed Jo’s failed attempt to set a record dressed as a lobster in 2023.
How did two runners set a marathon world record in an inflatable elephant
Jo Robinson and Emma Langstaff completed the London Marathon in 4:15:40 while wearing an inflatable elephant costume. The time they took to run the marathon made them the fastest pair ever to complete one in a two-person inflatable costume.They are members of the Looe Pioneers running club, but the challenge was about more than the novelty of running as an elephant. They also wanted to raise money and awareness for type one diabetes. Emma is a doctor who works with patients living with the condition. Both of Jo’s daughters are also suffering from type one diabetes. Jo said, “It was physically demanding, especially starting further back, but we spent much of the race overtaking people, which gave us a real lift psychologically. I’m not sure those being passed by an elephant enjoyed it quite as much, but it certainly kept us going.”
The teamwork behind the inflatable elephant marathon
The shared inflatable costume meant the pair had to change their usual running style. Jo Robinson said, “You’ve got to completely change your stride”“Shorter steps, matching cadence, it’s all about working together. But I knew Emma was the perfect partner. We’ve done loads together over the years.”“We only practised twice, once along Hannafore in the dark and once around town on a Saturday night”“I think we definitely confused a few people who were out as there were some faces like, ‘I need to stop drinking!”
How did Jo turn a failed lobster attempt into an elephant world record
The elephant challenge also had a personal significance for Jo Robinson. In 2023, she made an attempt at a Guinness World Record while dressed as a lobster, but the effort ended in failure when the costume became soaked.Jo said, “The costume got soaked and it was like running with a wet towel wrapped round my legs”.“This time, I was determined to get it done.”The London Marathon also left a strong impression on the runners. Jo had previously taken part in the Paris and Berlin marathons, but said neither compared with London because of the crowd support. She said the cheers from strangers gave the runners a boost and kept them going throughout the race.
The elephant costume turned a marathon into a memorable challenge
The Cornish Times reports they now have a certificate of sorts, but the official one still needs to be ordered. Both runners are turning 50 this year, but said their plans were not the result of a midlife crisis. Instead, they said their motivation came from their love of running, sense of humour and desire to do something different.They are already considering their next challenges, including the Scilly 60 and the New York Marathon. Jo said the elephant made people smile, which was what the challenge was all about. The record attempt brought together their running experience, their efforts to raise money and awareness for type one diabetes, and a memorable sight for marathon spectators.
