A RUNNER from Bucks attempted to break a record for the quickest half marathon time ran whilst dressed as a book character.

Tom Dixon from Amersham ran the Milton Keynes Half Marathon dressed as the Roald Dahl character in order to beat the previous record time of one hour 29 minutes and 28 seconds, set by a runner dressed as Where’s Wally.

Remarkably, Tom managed to break the record emphatically, running the course in one hour, 23 minutes and four seconds - six minutes quicker than the previous record.

At this year’s London Marathon, several runners donned lightweight breathable costumes to make their fundraising feats even more impressive.

Spotted during this year's race were runners dressed as a shoe, as a tube of toothpaste, and even a can of baked beans.

Tom ran on behalf of the Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, which was set up over 25 years ago in 1991 after Roald Dahl’s death when his widow Felicity established the charity. Over 21,000 seriously ill children are cared for by the5 nurses currently working for the charity in the UK, including paediatric neuro-rehab occupational therapists and play specialists, providing expert help and support to families affected by serious illness.

The nurses work to ensure that children in their care receive consistent quality of care regardless of their medical condition. Roald Dahl Nurses support children and families affected by an extensive range of conditions, including epilepsy, acquired brain injury, rare diseases, sickle cell and thalassemia.

The charity also support young people transitioning from child to adult healthcare services, ensuring young people do not fall through the gap and continue to receive high-quality care.

Currently, some nurses working for the charity look after 300 children on average although some nurses work help out hundreds more.

Tom said: “I have so much respect for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and the work they do in funding specialist Roald Dahl children’s nurses.

“I have met the nurses and the children they care for and it’s such important work done with so much kindness and consideration. Although the children supported are very ill, they are given bravery by the way they are cared for by the nurses. I’m in awe of them.

“I’m so happy with the effort, but very hot in the costume. It was a fantastic event, and I’m very pleased to have raised nearly £2,000 for a great cause. I’m a record breaker for all of those children out there who need the help of a Roald Dahl nurse.”