Oxford academic smashes marathon record

Prof Betts raised thousands of pounds for Helen & Douglas House, a children's hospice in Oxford [Alexander Betts]

While last Sunday's London Marathon may perhaps be best remembered internationally for two runners completing it in less than two hours, another record was broken by an Oxford academic.

Prof Alexander Betts, Oxford University's pro-vice-chancellor for external engagement, sport and community, ran the 26.2-mile (42.2km) course dressed as an academic, including a mortar board.

His record of two hours and 55 minutes, confirmed by Guinness World Records, broke the previous record of three hours and 31 minutes.

He ran it in aid of the Oxford-based children's hospice charity, Helen & Douglas House, and raised more than £3,300.

"The mortar board was really tricky to balance on my head, it's basically a flat piece of black cardboard, and the gown was catching the wind," said Prof Betts. "It was a hot, sunny day and it was very warm.

"What I wanted to show, wearing my ridiculous robes, is that universities can be relevant and have a positive impact in the wider community and sport is a great bridge for that. It can bring people together.

"In Oxford, we've historically had the 'town and gown' divide and this is a way of saying [that] academics are engaged in the community, sport can connect us and, believe it or not, even Oxford professors don't have to take themselves seriously all of the time."

Sabastian Sawe broke the world record for a marathon when he completed the course in one hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds on Sunday.

Yomif Kejelcha finished in second place in one hour, 59 minutes and 41 seconds.

• More stories from Oxfordshire