Crocs, Not Trainers: Olivia's Record-Breaking Marathon Mission

Olivia is preparing to take on both the Lincoln Half Marathon and the Altra Yorkshire Marathon this year, but she won't be lacing up a pair of running shoes. Instead, she'll be attempting to break the Guiness World Record for the fastest woman to complete both a half marathon and a marathon wearing Crocs.

While it may sound unusual, Olivia is taking the challenge seriously. To comply with the record attempt, she cannot modify the Crocs in any way and must wear them throughout the entire race, meaning she can't move forward on the course without them on. Having already completed a number of training runs in the footwear, the experienced runner is confident she can tackle both events without any major issues.

The idea came about after a friend accidentally left her running shoes behind at a particularly muddy event and ended up completing it in Crocs instead.

Olivia decided to take on the challenge herself, combining her love of running with an opportunity to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

Cancer has had an impact on Olivia's life, both personally and through her experiences as a medical student. She never had the chance to meet her Nana Noreen, who died from pancreatic cancer, while her grandfather has battled oral cancer.

Her fundraising has also been inspired by the patients she has met during her medical training. One individual, a man living with terminal bowel cancer, left a lasting impression on her.

Reflecting, Olivia said: "I met him regularly throughout last year and watching him and his family remain so positive whilst reconciling with what was happening was both heartbreaking and inspirational."

Now, with two major race-day challenges ahead of her, Olivia is hoping to prove that even a pair of Crocs can carry you a long way, while raising vital funds and awareness for an important cause.