'I want to set record for marathon run in a sari'

A mother-of-two is hoping to beat the Guinness World Record for running the fastest marathon in a sari.

Madhusmita Jena, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, said she wanted to "empower women from all ethnic backgrounds from around the world to race in whatever they feel comfortable in".

The current record was set by Kranti Salvi from India, who ran the Berlin Marathon in Germany in three hours, 57 minutes and seven seconds in September 2018.

This will be the 42nd full marathon that Madhusmita, 46, has run and her sixth time running the route in Manchester.

"I started running just to kind of get out of the house and get a bit of me time," said the special educational needs teacher.

"It's become part of my life and I always have a marathon to run because it gives me something to work towards."

She ran her first marathon just seven months after her first son was born.

Madhusmita will be wearing a red and cream hand-loomed sari with a running belt over the top on Sunday.

She hopes that by attempting this Guinness World Record, she can prove that running can be done in any type of clothing.

"When I first [started running in a sari] my parents even thought I was a bit crazy but I didn't realise it would inspire people in India to start running.

"Since then I think my parents are obviously very proud."

She said she understands the challenges ahead but she was ready to achieve her goal.

"If it is rainy or windy on the day that's going to add a huge challenge to it," she said.

"Last year it was the opposite - it was a heat wave and I did overheat in six yards of silk.

"I know I can run three hours and 57 minutes in shorts but to wear a sari will add that extra challenge."

Madhusmita, who works at Heaton School for young people with learning difficulties and complex medical needs, will be raising funds to buy an eye gaze for the school, which helps individuals with additional needs control a computer screen with their eye movement.

Madhusmita was interviewed for Radio Manchester's BBC Sounds series - 26.2 Ways To Run A Marathon.

It follows five runners taking on the Manchester Marathon on Sunday.

You can listen on BBC Sounds.

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