Tom Harrison will be putting one foot behind the other until he crosses the finish line (Picture: Facebook/Tom Harrison/PA)
If you’re watching the London Marathon tomorrow, don’t be alarmed if it appears one runner seems to be heading the wrong way.
Tom Harrison, 46, has decided to take on the 26.2 distance while running backwards.
Previously, the former police officer made headlines when he dressed up as a gorilla and crawled the entire route.
He also walked from Cornwall to London – relying on the generosity of strangers for food and accommodation – to raise more money for charity.
Tom, who now works in project management, will again turn heads tomorrow as he hurries along, backwards, to complete the London Marathon.
While thousands of other runners stare at backs and shoes, the 46-year-old will be able to see the faces of his fellow participants.
Is he prepared? Prepared enough, he reckons.
Tom, of Amersham, Buckinghamshire, told Metro.co.uk: ‘I could have done more backward walking, but it is hard to fit in alongside your regular forward walking.
Tom will walk backwards the entire route and hopes the crowds will spur him on (Picture: Tom Harrison)
He previously crawled the entire distance to raise money for the Gorilla Foundation (Picture: Reuters)
‘I can’t really practice it on the way to the shops or anything. But I’ve been going down quiet streets and a square in a park nearby.
‘What will keep me going on the day is pure determination and the support on the day. I’ll have my two sons, Nicholas and Alex, the team from the Red Cross and the great British public.
‘Hearing people call out your name or make jokes, it makes such a difference.
‘I won’t be surprised if someone goes “you’re going the wrong way mate!”.’
Tom and Amersham mayor Mark Roberts outside a British Red Cross store in the town (Picture: Tom Harrison)
Tom previously said he will be ‘looking over my shoulder for Ukraine’ on Sunday (Picture: PA)
Tom is raising funds for the Red Cross and their ongoing efforts in Ukraine to aid those affected by the war.
He wanted to come up with something ‘quirky’ to help draw attention to his fundraiser in a bid to raise as much money as possible.
Running backwards for 26.2 miles will take its toll as he uses his muscles in a very different way, but he’s up for the challenge.
A breakfast of porridge will start his day before he makes his way to the starting line.
From there, he’ll opt to start later to make sure he doesn’t get in anyone’s way as he navigates his way through the route.
Tom continued: ‘Running backwards does give you a new perspective. I’ve been able to see the route I’ve taken and footprints I’ve left behind.
‘It’s like seeing what you’ve actually achieved and the mark you’ve made, it’s quite nice.
‘The Red Cross is a well-oiled machine and they’re doing so much to help people caught up in tragedy in Ukraine. I thought if I could do something a bit different, a bit quirky then it could help get donations in.’
You can donate to Tom’s fundraiser on his JustGiving page.
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‘I could have done more backward walking to prepare, but it is hard to fit in alongside your regular forward walking.’