Why one man is running the 2024 London Marathon dressed as a giant brain

World Marathon Major season is in full swing, with Sunday’s 2024 London Marathon following hot on the heels of the Boston edition, which took place on Monday 15 April. As usual, competitors fitting an array of different profiles take part, from the “serious” runners in the elite races to more “casual” participants, some of whom are in fancy dress.

26.2 miles wearing a 5kg costume

This year, that includes local runner Jess Walklin, who you might spot during the race dressed a giant brain. As if running 26.2 miles (42 kilometres) weren’t difficult enough, the 30-year-old Londoner has opted to do so while wearing a 5kg (11lb) costume, according to the BBC.

There is, as you might imagine, a logical - and indeed admirable - reason for Walklin’s choice of attire.

London man and partner raising money for charity

He, along with girlfriend Jessica Lowe, signed up for the marathon to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity which does exactly what it says on the tin. Walklin’s mother, Caroline, was diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumour in June 2022, with a scan revealing she had a rare and incurable cancerous tumour after it had been mistakenly suspected she had long covid-19.

Although doctors have stated there is no cure, Ms. Walklin has kept fighting, undergoing surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The younger Walklin and his partner have already raised funds, some of which have been used to have the brain costume made, by cycling 93 miles (150 kilometres) on a tandem around Hyde Park in London on the hottest day of 2023, as well organising an auction and a raffle.

Running the London Marathon, however, is their biggest fundraiser to date, with Walklin’s costume, in which he expects to “feel pretty lonely at times,” likely to help them add to the £15,000 (over $18,500) they have raised for the charity so far.