Tom’s Guinness World Record Attempt at the London Marathon!

“I am flying the flag for community sport and hopefully showcasing how important it is to have amazing community volunteers out there transforming young lives.” 

Next week, Tom, Access Sport’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, will be taking on the TCS London Marathon to raise vital funds for inclusive community sport.

When Tom steps up to the start line, he won’t be in the traditional running gear. Instead, he’ll be tackling all 26.2 miles in full cricket kit – pads, gloves, helmet and all – in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the fastest male marathon time dressed in cricket kit.

While achieving a world record at this iconic race would be a dream come true, it is the motivation behind Tom’s attempt that really matters.

For Tom, community sport has been a constant source of stability, connection and belonging throughout his life. From playing at a local cricket club since he was eight years old, to volunteering at Amersham Cricket Club, Chiltern Harriers Athletics Club and the local Scouts as an adult, sport has always been a guiding presence.

Choosing cricket kit was deliberate - cricket has played a central role in Tom’s life, helping him build lasting friendships, grow in confidence and rediscover joy during challenging times.

“I’ve had times in my life, especially during transitional phases, where I have struggled with new places and situations, but sport and cricket helped me through some depressing times. Building friendships and confidence, it has been a real turning point at times for me, and I’d like more children to have that support.”

Through these personal experiences and his professional role at Access Sport, Tom knows first-hand how powerful community sport can be, and the access barriers that still exist for disadvantaged and disabled young children.

Today, more than half of young people in the UK do not meet the recommended levels of daily physical activity, contributing to growing physical health challenges, mental wellbeing concerns and wider social issues.

Tom has seen first-hand how community sport can transform young people’s lives improving confidence, resilience, physical fitness, mental wellbeing, life skills and giving them a friendship base that wasn’t there before.

That’s why Tom is taking on this World Record challenge – to amplify this message and showcase how important it is to have volunteers out there transforming young lives through sport.

On 26 April, Tom won’t just be running for a finish time or a world record. He’ll be running for the young people who deserve a place in sport, the volunteers who make that possible and for the community sport networks that have helped him become who he is today.

Donate to Tom’s fundraising page >