Beat bobby Nick aims to set a world record by running half-marathon in full police kit

A police officer hopes to set a world record by running the Leicester Half-Marathon in full police uniform - including his stab vest and the rest of his heavy kit. Pc Nick Whitehead is now in training before facing the challenge in October.

The 41-year-old has brought his love of sport and fitness to the communities on his city beat, including Highfields and St Matthews. He has become a pioneer of health, working alongside Leicester City's charitable arm, to organise a weekly running and walking club for residents.

Pc Whitehead told LeicestershireLive: “I used to do a bit of cross-country running at school, but in 2014 I was going to join the Army. Part of their fitness test is that you have to run a mile-and-a-half.

“I started doing that to prepare for the Army. But to be honest by the time I’d completed the mile-and-a-half I’d be so tired, I’d have to walk home.

"I just progressed by joining a local park run at Braunstone Park. In the end, although I didn’t join the Army, I kept on running.”

He recently represented England in the cycle speedway, beating the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish team. Now the Leicestershire Police officer is combining his passion for running and his job to earn a place in the Guinness book of world records.

He has already completed nine marathons and described this year as his most successful one yet. He said: “I have personal bests in the 5k and 10k and the marathon, which I did in three hours and eight minutes.”

“I was inspired to go for the Guinness world record for running a half-marathon in my uniform after seeing that someone had done it for the full marathon. No one has actually attempted it for the half-marathon, and I like to challenge myself so I thought I’d give it a go.”

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