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Olympian excited for station's record attempt

Elliot BallWest Midlands
News imageBBC A side by side composite image. The left image shows Tim Boswell running in a white sports vest while holding his hands up. The second image shows Steve Cram in a grey zip up fleece with his arms folded.BBC
BBC Hereford & Worcester's Tim Boswell (left) is aiming to complete Steve Cram's (right) record challenge this weekend

A former Team GB Olympian says he is "excited" ahead of BBC Hereford & Worcester's attempt to set a new Guinness World Record.

Steve Cram, a silver medallist in the 1,500m at the 1984 games, set the station the challenge of running the fastest half marathon while presenting a live radio show.

That challenge has fallen to executive producer Tim Boswell who must complete the Worcester City Half Marathon in under two hours and 30 minutes on Sunday.

The runner turned athletics commentator said: "He's going to have so much to talk about. We're so looking forward to it and it's our biggest ever Worcester City Run - it gets bigger every year."

Rebecca Ward, an official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, said in order for the record to stand the show must follow some strict rules.

"The programme itself must be a regular scheduled radio broadcast and the person running must keep presenting," she said.

"They must feature heavily in the broadcast but they can have co-presenters and guests."

Speaking ahead of the record attempt, Cram said he was looking forward to it.

"It is going to be a little bit warm at the weekend so people will need to be prepared for that.

"Worcester, as beautiful as ever, will give us a beautiful day and I'm 100% sure of that."

News imageBoswell takes a selfie wearing a red hoodie with the River Thames behind him.
Boswell will need to complete the half marathon in under two hours and 30 minutes

Asked for some words of wisdom for Tim and his fellow runners, Cram said: "You're going too fast if you can't talk.

"If you can't have a conversation then you're using up too much energy and oxygen. You're breathing too heavily.

News imageWorcester City Council An image from 2022 shows more than 100 runners in the bottom half of the photo. Trees, a white building and lampposts are above them on the photo.Worcester City Council
Cram has advised participants to arrive at their event early

The Sutcliffe & Co Worcester City Runs Weekend returns this weekend.

The weekend's events will begin on Saturday with Paula's Families on Track, the fun family relay event inspired by Paula Radcliffe at Worcester Racecourse at 11:00 BST.

Then on Sunday, the junior run starts at 08:45, followed by the Worcester City 10K at 09:15 and the half marathon at 09:40.

Listeners hoping to keep track of the record attempt live can tune in to BBC Herefordshire and Worcestershire from 09:00 BST on Sunday or listen back on BBC Sounds.

Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

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