Most people think of the marathon as the ultimate sporting achievement, and despite only 1% of the world’s population ever having actually run one, completing one sits at the top of many people’s bucket list. But imagine running one backwards whilst juggling, or with a fridge on your back – for a few people, running 26.2 miles unimpeded is simply too easy.

So, if you’re looking for a bit of inspiration for your upcoming race, here are five unusual ways to run a marathon.

Run backwards whilst juggling 3 balls

Running a marathon is hard enough at the best of times, but running one backwards – that takes serious training. But 32-year old Joe Salter upped the anti last year, when he set a set a world record for running a marathon backwards in five hours, 51 minutes, 25 seconds all whist juggling three balls during the 2013 Quad Cities Marathon in Moline, Illinois.

You won’t be surprised to hear that he also holds a few other world records – like backstroking a half-mile in the Gulf of Mexico whilst juggling or running a mile backwards whilst juggling (seven minutes, 32secs). Seriously impressive stuff. He’s even come up with a term for the special interest: juggling plus jogging equals joggling.

Carry a fridge on your back

Tony ‘The Fridge’ Phoenix-Morrison has has become something of a hero in the UK for his unique ability to run whilst carrying a 42kg Smeg fridge on his back. In his quest to raise money for the charity Cancer Research UK, he’s achieved some remarkable feats of endurance like running 40 marathons in 40 days from John O’Groats to Land’s End. But in April this year, for his final challenge the 49-year old grandfather will take things up a notch, when he runs the London Marathon and then continues to run three more. 105 miles non-stop with a fridge on your back – any takers?

http://tonythefridge.com/4-marathons-in-1-day/

Knitting whilst you run

It’s not every day you come across a world record breaking marathon knitter. But that’s exactly what 41-year old David Babcock became in October 2013 when he managed to knit a 12 feet long orange and purple scarf whilst running the Kansas City Marathon marathon. His time: five hours and 48 mins.

Run a marathon whilst dressed as a toilet

As anyone who’s run a marathon before will know, last minute calls of nature are not uncommon. But what if you could bring the toilet with you? Well, that’s exactly what Marcus Mumford is planning to do at this year’s London Marathon, when he attempts a Guinness world record for the fastest marathon time whilst dressed as a toilet. You’d think he’d be the only person vying for the unusual title, but there are several other contenders attempting to break the record. Moreover, in order for Guinness to approve the record, he must do it in less than four hours. No pressure then! With under a week to go until the attempt, Marcus has already raised nearly $2,000 for Water Aid.

Run marathon dressed as a rhino

You know things are going badly for you during a race when you’re overtaken by a rhino. But it’s something of a regular occurrence during the London Marathon, where every year around 15 people will put on a 12kg rhino suit and attempt to complete the 26.2 miles without passing out with dehydration or chronic back ache. But it’s all for a good cause, as they’re raising money for the Save the Rhino conservation charity.