On 16th July, Carla Molinaro will attempt to break the ladies Guinness World Record for running the length of Great Britain. The challenge, from Land’s End to John O’Groats (LEJOG). The traditional LEJOG distance is an eye watering 874 miles. The current ladies World Record is 12 days, 11 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds.
Carla’s achievements
Carla is a Great British ultra-runner who has taken part in triathlons, ultra-marathons and multiday running events for over 15 years. Her endeavours include:
- Run around Mont Blanc
- From Cape Town to Comrades, the biggest and oldest ultra-marathon, she placed 9th for a gold medal
- Carla has also set a Fastest Known Time for The Great Ocean Run in Australia
- Represented Great Britain at the 100km World Championships in 2018
She is now ready to take it to the next level and attempt the ladies LEJOG World Record.
Carla said: “I have always been a runner in some way shape or form. When I started running at a running club at the age of 15 the idea of running a marathon was crazy. I never thought I would do one as it was sooo far but 15 years later, after building up the distances over the years I did my first marathon (in an Ironman). From then, I got hooked on the long stuff. I have slowly crept up my distances and I am now an ultra-runner that is about to try and run the length of a country!
Daydreaming about LEJOG
“When lockdown kicked in, I started to run up and down my driveway this made me start to daydream about going on a running adventure. LEJOG popped into my head and it stuck there so I started to plan to run the length of the UK. I decided to try and break the World Record at the same time. As there are no races anytime soon it seems like the perfect time to combine a mega challenge with an adventure”.
What’s required to break the record?
“To break the record, I need to run 110km a day for 12 days, which is slightly terrifying and exciting at the same time. I am excited to see what my mind and body is capable of. We all live in our comfort zones most of the time (because it is nice and comfy there) but I like to thrown myself out of mine at least once a year just to shake things up”.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the whole country slowly. We’re normally in a rush to get everywhere so to slow it down and see everything at 10km/h and power myself to Scotland on my own two feet is an exciting prospect. I am not looking forward to my feet swelling and the pain in my body that I am no doubt going to experience”.
“From doing similar stuff in the past it is going to feel like I’ve been hit by a bus, but it will be worth it for the cake at the end (and along the way)! I am sure there are going to be loads of challenges along the way such as injury, fatigue, road works which could lead to a diversion and the midge’s in Scotland. I have prepared myself as best as I can and I have surrounded myself with an awesome team and I am sure together we can all overcome what is thrown at us.”
HOKA ONE ONE has kindly sponsored Carla and she will be training and running in the Clifton 7, Carbon X and Clifton Edge.
