New Guiness Record: Kelly Gneiting is the Heaviest Marathoner
At 400-pounds, Kelly Gneiting sets a new Guinness World Record as the heaviest man to finish a marathon. He completed the LA Marathon last Sunday with a time of 9 hours, 48 minutes and 52 seconds.
Gneitling is 40 years old. He is three-time national sumo wrestler champion. He has a 60-inch waist and weighed-in 400 pounds just before the race.
From a report in LA Times, Gneiting said after crossing the finish line, “I did it but it was hell. Pure hell.”
I find this a great feat. Not everyone can finish a marathon and here is a 400-pound guy brave enough to complete it. He is setting an example to other people out there. But while many were inspired with what Gneiting accomplished, this feat also came with criticism. To some, they don’t consider a 9+ hour finish as “running” a marathon.
About The Author
ManokanRunner
Jinoe Gavan is the founder of this award-winning blog Takbo.ph, The Filipino Running Community. Known as ManokanRunner, he is a computer addict on weekdays, a church leader on weekends and a runner in all days of the week. He wants to run and cover as many miles in many places as he could. Read more about his life in the urban jungle with all the distractions and the fun of raising his son in DaddyandtheCity(dot)com.