It’s hard for most people to imagine running a marathon, much less while being draped with nine other people in a one-piece dragon costume. But that’s exactly what a wacky group of UMKC dental students and their friends did. Why, you may wonder? To set a Guinness World Record!
This saga began in May 2016 when Paul Harris, a 3rd-year dental student at the time, submitted a request to Guinness World Records to seek approval to attempt to set a record for the “World’s Fastest Marathon in a 10-Person Costume.” Guinness gave them their okay in October. In November, Harris contacted the race director of the 2017 Garmin “In the Land of Oz” Marathon, which would be held on Saturday, April 22. Harris then got busy organizing a group of 10 runners and figuring out their costume, with Ryan Wiebe and other team members.
Last weekend the 10-person dragon team actually did set a Guinness World Record for “World’s Fastest Marathon in a 10-Person Costume.” They blazed the 26.2 miles of the race in a world-record-setting 4 hours and 25 minutes.
According to Harris, “We did this quite simply to fulfill a silly idea. It was just for a fun memory with friends and to hopefully brighten the day of the runners and spectators at the race as well. I’m really thankful for this group of friends and for all the friendships that I’ve made during my time at UMKC School of Dentistry. As we all go our separate ways after graduation, hopefully we can look back at the pictures of this day and chuckle. Also, a big thank you to UMKC School of Dentistry photographer Jim Thomas for waking up early to come document the event!”
Five of the 10 runners in the costume are 4th-year dental students: Paul Harris, Seth Prochaska, Nick Reinagel, Paul Hechler, and Elisabeth Wilkinson. Also, Dan Kirkpatrick, one of the two spotters for the record is a 4th-year dental student. Other dragon runners included: Ransom Gardiner, Cole Gardiner, Michael Holton, Michael Just, and Ryan Wiebe.