Crazy Guy Runs Marathon in Flip Flops

khathryn · #1 ● 10-22-2012, 11:11 AM

Ok, so this isn't very newsworthy. But c'mon...it's flip flops!

'Flip-flop' guy sets world record by running two-hour and 46-minute marathon in sandals

A Maryland man ran an entire 26-mile marathon in flip-flop sandals and he's hoping to make it into the Guinness World Book of Records for the feat.
Keith Lavasseur, 34, of Glen Burnie finished the marathon in 29th place out of 3,024 runners within a brisk two hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds -- all while wearing black 'Reef' sandals.

Other runners who noticed Lavasseur's footwear were mostly supportive and wished him good luck as he sped past them, beside a couple runners who called him nuts for the stunt.

'I heard a number of spectators saying, "Hey, that's the flip flop guy!" as I passed,' he told Runner's World.
This wasn't Levasseur's first time running in flip flips, but it was the longest and fastest he has ever run in them. Before Saturday, the farthest ran in sandals was 14 miles, he said.

'I knew that what would normally result in a blister wasn’t happening because there wasn’t any room due to the snugness of the strap,' Levasseur added to Runner’s World. 'Instead I figured it would just rub away the skin, which is what it essentially did.'

He said he was 'quite sore' after the race, especially because his gait was slightly different compared to the running shoes that he is accustomed to wearing.
Other runners around the world have attempted setting records by running in flip flips, but Levasseur believes he has set a new record as the fastest.

'Many friends have asked if I’ll do it again and my answer has been a resounding "no,"' he said. 'If someone breaks the record, I will simply congratulate them.'

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