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'I'm running a marathon in a pair of sliders'

Alex Pope
BBC News, Hertfordshire
Daniel Fairbrother Daniel Fairbrother wearing bright green slider shoes on his feet, with white socks, crouching down, to show them, in a street, wearing a T-shirt, black shorts and black gloves. It is dark and you can just see cars and houses. Daniel Fairbrother
Daniel Fairbrother, a keen runner, is perfecting his race by practising in his fetching footwear

A runner who hit the headlines last year when he completed the London Marathon with a fridge strapped to his back will return this year in equally wacky style - sporting a pair of florescent sliders.

Daniel Fairbrother, 35, from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, says he does not believe just running a marathon is a big enough challenge for him, so aims to wear the plastic slip-on footwear to break a world record and add a "novelty factor".

In April 2024, he was captured stopping during the race at Big Ben to pop the question to his girlfriend Hayley, while carrying a fridge unit he called Tallulah.

"I put them on in my front room, did a quick lap, and thought I'll give that a go," he said.

Fridge-wearing runner proposes to his girlfriend, during the London Marathon, Daniel is kneeling down, wearing a dark cap, dark clothing, with tattoos on his arm and legs. The woman, to the right, has her hands to her face, has long dark hair and is wearing a white coat. There are runners running in the background and spectators standing behind smiling and taking photos.
Mr Fairbrother proposed to his girlfriend Hayley at mile 25 of the London Marathon in April 2024

The fundraiser said: "I don't see just running a marathon as a challenge, I like to try and challenge myself and I think by running with a pair of sliders on, it brings the novelty factor that helps raise money for charity."

Last year he raised £12,421 for Diabetes UK and hoped to collect as much this year for Cancer Research UK.

"I'll be running in a pair of sliders, trying to get the world record for the fastest marathon in a pair of sliders," he said.

He said he was no stranger to unusual running attire, as he completed the Stevenage Marathon in September in a pair of Crocs.

Keith Fenwick Daniel, holding two arms out, running, in yellow plastic shoes, wearing grey shorts, and a red and white running top. You can see a grass verge and a runner behind him.Keith Fenwick
Daniel has already run a few races wearing yellow plastic footwear

To make sure he reaches the time set by Guinness World Records - three hours and 30 minutes - he aims to complete a few more park runs and training sessions in the brightly coloured green footwear.

Once the marathon is finished, he says his next challenge will be to marry Hayley on 10 August.

A discussion on having Tallulah the fridge, which is currently in the garden, present on the big day, is ongoing with his fiancée, he added.

Daniel Fairbrother Daniel Fairbrother running in a street, in the dark, he is wearing bright coloured sliders, black shorts, white T-shirt and black gloves. He is blurred due to running. Daniel Fairbrother
Daniel's distinctive footwear helps him stand out in the dark

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