A brain injury survivor has set his sights on a new world record when he runs the London Marathon next month.
Alex Paget, of Hazelbourne Road in Clapham, will take on the 26.2-mile race dressed as a giant pink brain – a costume made of PVC pipes, cardboard, expanding foam and fabric, which took him 25 hours to make.
The 30-year-old insurance analyst hopes to take the crown as the new Guinness World Record (GWR) holder for the fastest marathon runner dressed as a body part on April 27, beating the current record of three hours and 43 minutes.
He said: “Every kid got given the Guinness World Record books, and you’d flick through it and see ‘fastest marathon runner dressed as a knight in shining armour’, and I just thought that would be cool to do it but in a brain costume.”
Mr Paget is running the marathon to raise funds and awareness for Headway – a brain injury charity which provides support, services and information to brain injury survivors.
The avid runner lives with Post-concussion syndrome (PCS) following an accident on his bike nearly four years ago while taking part in an Ironman challenge in France.
The accident occurred 90 miles into the cycling part of the long-distance race – which includes swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running 26.2 miles.
He said: “My wheels just came out from under me, and I went down and apparently hit my head.
“I didn’t know that there was anything wrong with my head, but my shoulder was pretty messed up.
“I was very annoyed because I thought ‘Oh this has ruined my race’.”
Mr Paget completed the race but began to feel unwell over the coming days, suffering from headaches, brain fog, vomiting, and dizziness.
The following years have left him with PCS, a debilitating continuation of concussion symptoms, with severe fatigue, constant headaches, and cognitive issues leading to a yo-yo cycle of having to take time off work, often for months at a time.
Mr Paget said: “The last three and a half years have been a big adjustment to the pace of life and what I can do.
“I think a lot of people don’t understand what you’re going through. They can’t really comprehend why you’re so tired all the time or why you bail on plans last minute.
“I wouldn’t wish what I’ve gone through on my worst enemy.”
But, Mr Paget who lives with fiancée Laura and dog Toby, said the support from his loved ones has been “amazing”.
He said: “Especially from my fiancée Laura. I don’t think I’d be here if it weren’t for her support.”
Researching became Mr Paget’s new hobby, which led him to finding a concussion programme and getting in touch with Headway.
He said: “Headway were there for me throughout my recovery, and I want people to know about the charity and what they can offer in way of support.
“I’ve wanted to do the London Marathon for a long time, and I wanted to mark my return to ‘normality’ with something fun.
“Even if I don’t end up getting the record it’s about raising awareness of concussion and brain injury, and Headway.”
To support Alex’s fundraiser for Headway, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/londonmarathonbrain
For more information about concussion, visit: https://www.headway.org.uk/about-brain-injury/individuals/types-of-brain-injury/mild-head-injury-and-concussion/
Pictured top: Alex Paget will take on the London Marathon next month to raise awareness for the charity which supported him following his brain injury (Picture: Alex Paget)
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