(Motorsport-Total.com) – While Kenyan Sabastian Sawe made headlines at the London Marathon, becoming the first person to break the two-hour mark and setting a new world record, former Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel also achieved a personal success and broke a barrier – and for a good cause.
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The German stayed below the magical limit for amateur runners and completed the marathon in the British capital in under three hours. The 38-year-old needed 2:59.08 hours for the 42.195 kilometers, making him almost an hour slower than the new world record holder.
Vettel participated in the London Marathon together with Tom Clarkson, the face of Formula 1 press conferences, to raise funds for the Grand Prix Trust and the Brain & Spine Foundation.
The Grand Prix Trust, founded in the 1980s by Sir Jackie Stewart, supports members of the F1 community who need help. The Brain & Spine Foundation was launched in 1992 by former Formula 1 doctor Sid Watkins and neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn. Its goal is to improve “the prevention, treatment, and care of people with brain and spinal cord conditions.”
Vettel on his run
In addition to raising funds for the two charities, Vettel had set himself the goal of finishing the race in under three hours, which he achieved. “It felt very long, but it was my first time, so I didn’t know what to expect,” Vettel said afterwards to BBC Sports.
“However, it was incredible how many people were on the track and how happy everyone was – so it’s a really great experience,” said the four-time world champion. “I’m still very excited and very happy that I made it to the finish.”
When asked what motivated him to participate, Vettel said: “Well, I’ve always wanted to run a marathon. I’ve always kept fit and done a lot of running and cycling.”
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“So I thought it was about time, and I set myself an ambitious goal that I could achieve. I wanted to stay just under three hours, which I managed. I’m very happy with that, but I think I’m even happier that I finished at all.”
“Now that I’ve had this experience, I can only recommend people to sign up and try it themselves.”
Guintoli runs in full leather suit
Besides Vettel, former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli was also at the start, who ran the marathon in a full leather suit and wants to support families whose children have cancer through the PASIC organization.
The sad background: His son Luca himself passed away from cancer last year.
“He was the most wonderful six-year-old boy you could imagine. After his diagnosis a year ago, Luca had to undergo the most aggressive treatments available. It was heartbreaking,” says the Frenchman.
“PASIC was there for our Luca and our family from the very beginning, supporting us along the way. I am taking on this challenge together with my daughters Alicia and Layla to honor our Luca, who was so brave and resilient in the face of this terrible disease.”
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