Multitasking mum crochets chain longer than a football pitch during marathon run

For most people, running a marathon would be enough of a challenge. But for Louise Warwick (UK), it was just one part of her pursuit of GWR glory.

Combining two of her favourite hobbies, she set the record for the longest crochet chain made while running a marathon, at an impressive 145.80 m (478 ft 4 in).

That’s pretty much equivalent to three Olympic-size swimming pools! Or 12 double-decker buses!

Louise gained this GWR title during the 2023 adidas Manchester Marathon, which she finished in 5 hr 55 min 34 sec.

Reflecting on her record-breaking race, the mum-of-four told GWR: “It was actually quite fun, if a marathon can ever be fun?

“Crocheting took my mind off running, and running took my mind off crocheting too.

“It was so good to hear people cheering me on and being amazed that I was crocheting and running at the same time,” she added. “Despite it being a tough challenge, it was possibly my favourite marathon experience I've had – all thanks to my amazing support crew and the fantastic Manchester crowds.”

Louise completed the 26.2‑mi (42.1‑km) course alongside her friends, Suzanne Cain and Nichola Cooke.

Throughout the race, she carried the chain in a pinny around her waist, and kept her supply of white, black and red yarn in a bag on her back.

“My partner ran round the course with our little boy and was able to pop up at various places to give me more yarn along the way! And spare batteries for the GoPro that filmed every bit of the chain being made.”

The Manchester mum revealed the toughest part of the day was when it began to rain as they approached Deansgate.

“My heart sank because I knew that if it rained, the attempt would be over. Wet yarn would have been a total disaster, but thankfully it was only a brief shower.”

 Louise also had to contend with the chain getting heavier as the race went on.

“By about mile 19, I had quite bad back ache,” she recalled. “Everything seemed to hurt in a different way to previous marathons.”

This was Louise’s sixth marathon, and her third time running the Manchester event.

After the race, Louise wasn’t convinced that her creation would beat the previous mark of 139.4 m (457 ft 4 in), set by Susie Hewer in 2014.

“That night, we did a real rough measure of the chain using our living room rug as a measuring guide and I thought I hadn't done it.”

Four days later, Louise took the yarn to be measured officially at Bury Athletics Club and realized she had in fact broken the record.

Despite giving birth just 14 months before the marathon, Louise said that her training block went “really well”.

“I [was] lucky to have a supportive partner and friends who got behind my crazy idea.

“My longest training run was 20 miles while crocheting and my local parkrun at Heaton Park were great at letting me do my test runs too.”

Read more inspiring stories in our dedicated Sports & Fitness section.

Louise, who works at a primary school in Whitefield, Manchester, UK, wanted to inspire the pupils with her record.

“I [wanted] to show the children there that you can achieve great things [in] sport, even if you aren't the fastest.”

As for Louise's record-breaking creation, it now has pride of place on her crafting table.

“When I see it, it reminds me that with a little bit of self-belief and crazy, anything can be achieved.”

Louise is one of the talented titleholders featured on the Crafting spread in Guinness World Records 2027, which launches on 10 September.