Rodley runner and Horsforth Harrier Ciaran Forde had a world record in his sights when he set off on the Leeds Half Marathon at the weekend.

Ciaran is systems and data manager at the children’s bed charity Zarach and also a very keen runner, wanted to raise the profile of the charity and raise cash, which buys beds and sleep essentials such as pyjamas. So he decided to aim for the world’s fastest half marathon….running in pyjamas, a time of 1hr 23mins and 57seconds.

‘I trained, but maybe not as much as I should have,’ Ciaran, 32, admitted afterwards ‘by the halfway stage, I knew I wasn’t going to beat the record, so I decided to just enjoy it.’ He did enjoy his run, especially with the cheers from the crowds including his wife and three sons.

His running kit was an ordinary pair of pyjamas from Marks and Spencer. ‘I put out an appeal on social media for someone to embroider them with the Zarach logo. Even better than that, she made me a hat, I think the crowds loved it!’

Ciaran came in at a more than respectable 1:31:32, the winner did it in 1:07:30, but wasn’t wearing pyjamas! Plus, he raised £1.577 for Zarach.

“I remember saying to myself as I ran, I’d never do this again, it’s awful!’ he admitted, but afterwards he changed his mind. ‘It’s a world record for a reason, so I’m going to have another go in Middlesbrough on March 7 next year, that gives me plenty of time to train’.

He chose Middlesbrough because it’s one of the places where Zarach delivers beds. Plus, the course is reasonably flat!

‘I’ve said it now, it’s in print in the West Leeds Dispatch, so I’ll have to do it!’ said Ciaran.

Ciaran’s fundraising page is here.

Leeds-based charity Zarach works closely with schools, local authorities and partner organisations to identify children in need of beds and essentials such as pyjamas so they can get a good night’s sleep. The charity says children are turning up for school after sleeping on floors, in baths or soiled beds, which impacts not just on their school day, but also their health and wellbeing. More than 15,000 beds have been delivered since they started in 2017. Areas covered include West Yorkshire, Doncaster, Tees Valley, Liverpool and Stockport.