Too Good To Be True?

Marathon runner Mark Vaz. Is this a case of too good to be true?

Chariots of Fire or Walter Mitty? Doubts raised over runner's incredible Land's End to John o'Groats claim: Taken at face value, it ranks as one of the all-time greatest feats of human endurance. On Sunday Mark Vaz, a 32-year-old window cleaner from Staffordshire, completed an 860-mile charity run from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and posed proudly with a sign showing his time of 7 days, 18 hours and 45 minutes, a staggering 31 hours faster than the 14-year-old record for the journey.

Shortly after reaching his goal, he submitted an application to Guinness World Records to have his achievement ratified, and his place in long-distance running history seemed assured.

Mark Vaz pictured towards the end of his run.

But the tightly-knit community of Britain’s ultra-distance runners has now challenged his claim, describing his time as “inconceivable” and branding him a fantasist.

One respected running blogger said it was “just not possible” for a “middle of the pack social runner” to knock more than a day off a record that top-class athletes had failed to beat, while another pointed out that Mr Vaz’s own updates on social media suggested he had run the last 156 miles in little more than 24 hours.

Mr Vaz’s response has been at times contradictory. In the past week he has said he is the victim of jealousy; that he will prove his doubters wrong by repeating the feat; that he is withdrawing his application to Guinness World Records; that he is taking legal action, and that he is giving up running altogether.

Mr Vaz’s Land’s End to John O’Groats run was part of an attempt to run 400 marathons in 400 days, which would also be a record.

Prior to his run, Mr Vaz had a poster made, which he put on his support van, which read: "World Record Attempt, Lands End to John O' Groats.” During the run he kept followers updated with his progress, tweeing: “On target for the world record.”

After the run he changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of himself standing underneath the John O' Groats sign pointing at Land’s End, with white writing which read: "LEJOG 7 days 18 hours 45 minutes." The official Guinness World Record for the run is 9 days 2 hours 26 mins, set by Briton Andrew Rivett in 2002, who ran for an average of 18 hours per day.

Other runners were incredulous. Ross Woodward, whose father Cavin Woodward held the world record for the fastest 100 mile run on a track in 1975, said: "If he hasn't done it in that time, then he hasn't done the full run at all – there's no middle ground.  

"If it turned out he had done it, it would be fantastic and he needs to show credible evidence of this."

Mr Vaz, who claimed he was being trolled on social media and subjected to death threats, released a statement on his Facebook page before later deleting it.

It said: “In regards to running and this record I never once stated I beat it or wanted to beat it, I did it for charity which is close to me to raise money. Unfortunately I won't be doing any more due to it affecting my health.

“I will not be going to Guinness now and making it official as I have been hounded by a number of people and it all makes it now all very bitter. Either way I can't win.”

The following day he said he was standing by his stated time after all, and was in contact with Guinness World Records.

“All I feel now is sour grapes,” he said. “I do not even need to comment on the allegations, I know my time and so do my support team who were there with me. If people do not like what I have achieved then that is up to them.”

Andy Nuttall of ULTRA Magazine, who has donated money to Mr Vaz’s fundraising page, said: "I have been following the Mark Vaz story with interest over the last year, and in particular the last week where his running has become less and less credible.

“There is doubt about his attempt – but I’m afraid it’s more than that.

"A performance of this magnitude would, in my professional opinion, propel Mark to the status not only of the greatest UK ultra runner, but probably they greatest ultra runner who ever lived.

“I have already spoken with Guinness about his World Record submission, giving them detailed pointers, if not evidence, as to why this is incredible.”

Dan Park, another ultra-running blogger, said: “It would be the ultimate Rocky storyline. Sadly it appears that this questionable run is beginning to unravel before Mark’s eyes and there is no Rocky script to be played out on the big screen. It seems far closer to a Walter Mitty spin off.”

Mr Vaz took to marathon running after his wife Tammy suffered a series of miscarriages, and has raised more than £3,500 for the baby charity Tommy’s and for Katharine House Hospice.

Last year Mr Vaz featured in national newspapers after running 53 marathons in 53 days, which he also said was a record. He managed to run his marathons while still completing his daily window cleaning round in Penkridge, near Cannock.

Guinness World Records said Mr Vaz did not hold any official running records. A spokesman said:  "It would be great to ratify this amazing achievement. We welcome Mark to continue with his application and submit his evidence for review to achieve the Guinness World Records title."

When The Daily Telegraph contacted Mr Vaz, his wife said: “We are taking legal action. I’m not speaking to anyone.”

Also see:

Meet The Super Human Window Cleaner

The UK Elite Champion Window Cleaners

This Window Cleaner's Still Going

Window Clean, Run 90 Marathons in 90 Days.. Check ✓

Window Cleaner Breaks World Record - 53rd marathon in 53 days

Revealed: The curious case of marathon man Mark Vaz: As the saga around Mark Vaz continues, and his running accomplishments come into question, the Express & Star looks back on his running history and how he ended up shrouded in controversy. It all began in April of last year, when he set out his plan to run 90 marathons in 90 days. He would be running for baby charity Tommy’s, spurred on by the heartbreak him and his wife had suffered after seven miscarriages.

In the process of his mammoth challenge, the Penkridge window cleaner would also smash the world record for consecutive marathons on consecutive days, which stood at 52. To continue on the 90 theme, Mr Vaz was also aiming to raise £90,000 for Tommy’s. He said he would continue with his window-cleaning round while undertaking the challenge and that he would begin the task on July 7.

Starting in Wolverhampton, his runs would take him through the likes of Walsall, Wheaton Aston, Rugeley, Rochester and Falmouth before finishing in Balloch in Scotland, the scene where he got married to his wife Tammy. He had the route mapped out so he would be able to hand the information over to Guinness and claim the new world record.

By August, Mr Vaz claimed to have run more than 800 miles and it was understood that he had broken the record of number of consecutive ultra marathons run on consecutive days – a record that he does not hold according to the Guinness World Book of Records. They say the record is held by American JC Santa Teresa.

Then it was reported that he had beaten the world record for consecutive marathons on consecutive days after he crossed the line at the Black Country museum to finish his 53rd marathon. Again the Express & Star can reveal that Mr Vaz does not hold this record. The Guinness World Book of Records have Akinori Kusuda from Japan down as the record holder with 52 consecutive marathons – not Mr Vaz.

As October rolled around, Mr Vaz finished his ‘90 in 90’ challenge in Chester – not Balloch – as he then proudly announced that he would be attempting a new challenge, 400 marathons in 365 days. Around the same time he also announced that he would be penning a book on his experiences – although no book is yet published.

Fast forward a week and Mr Vaz was again celebrating, this time as he crossed the line of his 100th marathon in just 97 days. He completed the challenge in Royal Parks, London.

He was due to take some time off from running after the challenges to rest up, but by November he told the Express & Star he had run his 130th marathon. He added that he had not quite worked out the logistics for his 400 in 365 challenge as he continued to run marathons locally.

But there was no slowing down for Mr Vaz, who said he reached the 170 mark in December and then the halfway point in January earlier this year. In the same month he also featured in a promotional video for Microsoft’s new fitness band, which has been viewed over 177,000 times on YouTube. The tech giant have now distanced themselves from Mr Vaz, saying: “Mark Vaz featured in promotional activity earlier this year. “Microsoft Band was not involved in his recent record [LEJOG] attempt. Beyond that, we have nothing else to share.”

In February Mr Vaz allegedly broke the record for the number of marathons run in a year when he completed his 240th, but again Guinness has a separate runner listed as the record holder.

Mr Vaz had previously said on numerous occasions he would be running from Lands End to John O’ Groats in an attempt to break the world record. He said he would complete the challenge in March, but had to pull out due to injury. It was around this time that his coach, Steve O’Brien, said he developed doubts as Mr Vaz would not discuss the injury or reveal any data that he requested, something Mr Vaz strongly denies.

He reattempted the challenge this month and claimed to finish it in world record time, but has now said he will not be submitting the information to Guinness to claim the world record as all he wanted was to raise money and awareness for charity.

Despite the damaging questions over Mr Vaz’s achievements, he must be given credit for the money he has raised for charity – something he has repeatedly said was the core reason for taking on these challenges.

At the time of writing he has raised over £2,000 for Make A Wish, the charity he picked for his LEJOG run. They say they are receiving the money in ‘drips and drabs’ as that is how money is released by Virgin Giving and they have no doubt that ‘the money will come’.

This Window Cleaner's Still Going

Super human, Mark Vaz broke a world record while managing to keep doing his window cleaning day job... and he’s still running!

Marathon runner halfway through ‘400 in 365’ challenge: Marathon man Mark Vaz is almost halfway through his outrageous challenge of completing 400 marathons in 365 days despite dislocating his shoulder earlier in the week.

Mark is raising funds for Adoption UK as he attempts to become the first man to run 400 marathons in a year – so more than one a day. The current record is 239 marathons. To put Mark’s challenge into context, he will be aiming to run a total of 10,488 miles, roughly the same distance as flying from London to Sydney, Australia (10,553 miles).

The window cleaner from Penkridge, Staffs, is set to complete his 200th marathon in Telford on Saturday 23rd January, despite his earlier setback. The accident happened as Mark set himself the challenge of a triple marathon in a day on Monday 18th January. “I tripped over a log on Cannock Chase during my third marathon,” Mark explained. “It was ruddy painful but my friend Phil, who I was running with, popped it back in so I was able to complete 81 miles in a day.”

Mark, who grew up in Shrewsbury after being adopted, described his challenge, which he started in July, 2015, as an “emotional rollercoaster”. “Every day’s different but I’ve never had any problems getting myself out of bed at 4am to go running, as I love it!” On reaching his 200th marathon, Mark said: “It will be like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders – if you’ll pardon the pun! It’s a real morale-booster to know I’ll be halfway there.”

The 32 year-old’s next big milestone will be his 300th marathon when he runs in the Greater Manchester Marathon on 10th April. Part of Mark’s 400th marathon will see him return to his home town, where he will compete in the Shrewsbury Half Marathon on 19th June. He will also be running from Land’s End to John O’Groats in March, which will be 813 miles in nine days.

Mark, who can be found on Twitter @400in365, hopes to have broken a Guinness World Record after running 90 marathons in as many days last year. The current record is 52 but Mark’s record will not be officially ratified until he finishes his current challenge. Anyone who would like to sponsor Mark can do so by visiting his online fundraising page.

Meet The Super Human Window Cleaner

Super human, Mark Vaz broke a world record while managing to keep doing his day job... and he’s still running!

This guy ran 90 marathons in 90 days: Mark Vaz broke a world record while managing to keep doing his day job... and he’s still running! Could you run a marathon and then go to work? Maybe once, but could you do that for 90 days? That's what this guy has done, and he's still going.

Mark Vaz has broken the official Guinness World Record for most marathons run on consecutive days – previously 52 – and he now hopes to smash the record for most marathons run in one year, which currently sits at 239. He hopes to run 400 by running more than one marathon some days.

The Englishman has been doing all this while still working as a window cleaner. We spoke to the marathon man to find out why he decided to take up the challenge.

So first off, how did it feel to finish your 90th Marathon?

After the MBNA Chester Marathon I was really, really emotional, the last two miles in particular, as it was coming to an end. 90 marathons in 90 days was the goal, but I've kept going to reach 100 marathons in 100 days.

But you've decided to keep on running to break another record?

I've kept on running and my plan is to run 400 marathons in a year. At the moment I'm running from Stafford to London. That's 140 miles (225km)  in three days. Yesterday I ran 70 miles (112km), and today I'll run 53. It's not a huge amount of miles, but it's a good slog. The 70 miles was difficult, not so much physically but mentally. Around mile 50 I took a tantrum, it was really difficult.

Finishing the 90th marathon was emotional.

That's quite a challenge. Why are you doing this, and why was 90 the initial goal?

I decided to take up the challenge to raise money for two charities – Tommy's The Baby Charity and Katherine House Hospice. The idea to run 90 came into my head as I wanted to raise £90,000. Pregnancy also lasts nine months, so the nine connection, and I also really wanted to see what my body could cope with. I never doubted I would complete the challenge, when I decide to do something I will do it – I just keep going. I never doubted I would complete the challenge.

Pain as Mark Vaz reaches the finish line.

Did you have much experience of running before this?

I've run since I was young, and realised early on that I was good at distances. I hadn't done an official marathon before, but had regularly run 20 miles (32km) on my own. My previous marathon time was 4.5 hours but my quickest time in this challenge happened on day 60 – 2h 56m.

How did you train for the challenge?

I trained for eight months before the challenge started by running and going to the gym. I lifted weights in the gym to strengthen my muscles and bones. I also didn't overdo it. I would run maybe 18 miles (28km) then have a day off, the key was consistency and balance.

Thumbs up from Vaz in Chester.

What have been the toughest and best parts?

The challenge was most difficult at the beginning. On the evening after day three I had terrible pins and needles in the back of my legs, I was in so much pain. But it was my body adapting to the increased mileage; it's getting so much easier.

Have you had to eat a lot more to cope with all the mileage you're covering?

I've been drinking lots of milk, eating pasta, fish, fruit, vegetables – all the healthy stuff. I've eaten a few bits of junk food but mainly to get my calories up. I've had to eat a lot more than usual! My body is adapting to the challenge!

The end of the marathon was emotional.

Of course we have to know, how many pairs trainers have you gone through?

I've gone through 14 pairs of trainers so far but have been sponsored by New Balance, who send me new pairs. That's been a real help.

And will we see you in the Guinness Book of Records?

Guinness knows about the record and I will send away all my times when I have finally finished.

Follow Mark's journey on Facebook and visit his fundraising page. More info here.

This Window Cleaner Is A Tool - Sets Guinness Record

Terry Bradbury, of Weston Coyney, who runs window cleaning firm Pure clean plus, dons a tape measure costume when he took on the London Marathon.

MARATHON MAN MEASURES UP: Local window cleaner Terry Bradbury, 49, set a new world record at this year’s London Marathon for ‘the fastest marathon dressed as a tool’ category. Terry, who runs Pure clean plus window cleaning services, ran dressed as a tape measure, raising £893 for the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice. He finished the gruelling 26.2 mile course in 3hrs 49mins 45secs smashing the world record for this category by 11 minutes.

“It was tough running that distance in the costume, especially as I’d forgotten to apply my anti-chafing cream, but the outcome was well worth it,” said Terry. “I raised funds for and awareness of this worthwhile charity while achieving my ambition to set a Guinness world record”.

Terry said he first got the idea for his special attire when searching for fancy dress costumes for his mum’s 70th birthday. He added: “I was looking through costumes and seeing something similar got me wondering what the record was for running dressed like a tool. “I contacted the Guinness World Records team who said I could have the world record, under a new category, if I did the race in under four hours. “It took me seven weeks to get my costume from Belfast - so I had to go as Michael Jackson for my mum’s birthday!”

Terry has ran the gruelling race once before, and completed it in a time of three hours 48 minutes - despite a bad ankle injury. He said that while all the children who use the hospice are an inspiration to him, he was doing the challenge for one family in particular. “One of my customers who lives near me - William Simpson - has a son who uses the hospice and needs a heart transplant,” Terry added. “The son always has a smile on his face and that is largely down to the hospice.

“I see the kids with problems at the hospice and they’re just as happy as my grandkids and Ellie - my daughter. “They all should have a childhood and shouldn’t have to deal with the problems they have, but they cope so well. “I think a lot of adults can take a leaf out of their books.”

Each year, it costs £2.5 million to keep the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice open. Hannah Ward-Salt, marketing manager for the hospice, said: “We’re thrilled that Terry’s used this quirky record attempt to raise awareness and funds. “The London Marathon is such a prestigious event that attracts so many followers. 

“People taking on personal challenges is one of the many ways in which people can support the hospice.” To support Terry’s cause, visit his Virgin fund-raising web page. Alternatively, you can contact the Trentham-based charity on 01782 654440.

Terry Burrows - Still The Fastest

Terry Burrows (UK) cleaned three standard 114.3 x 114.3 cm (45 x 45 in) office windows set in a frame with a 300 mm (11.75 in) long squeegee and 9 litres (2 gal; US 2.37 gal) of water in 9.14 sec at the National Window Cleaning Competition in Blackpool, UK, on 9 October 2009.

Terry Burrows (UK) The Fastest Window Cleaner in the World 2015: Terry Burrows retains his world record again and is still the quickest window cleaner in the World. His Guinness book of records beating time is still holding up after all these years. The next appearance by Terry "turbo" Burrows will be in Dorset on May 9th. If you want to meet Terry Burrows, come to Mark Munro's Dorset show on May 9th, where he will provide hints, tricks & tips for all fellow window cleaners, no matter how ugly you are.

Fastest female window cleaner still retains her title: Deborah Morris (UK) cleaned three standard 1.14 m x 1.14 m (45 x 45 in) office windows set in a frame with a 300 mm (11.75 in) long squeegee and 9 litres (2 gal; US 2.37 gal) of water in 16.28 sec at the Cleaning Show 2011 held at NEC, National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham, UK, on 3 March 2011. A base time of 13.28 sec was achieved but 3 sec penalty was incurred.

You can see Terry in action from the 6 minute mark in the video, trying to chip down the time on his World record. You can also read a Question &Answer session With Terry "Turbo" Burrows here.

Washing A Million Windows

George Lynn washes another window in his efforts to set a Guinness World Record.

Dusty aims for record clean sweep: George “Dusty” Lynn is not your typical 65-year-old pensioner. His window-washing mission has taken him all around the world and after four unsuccessful attempts at making it into the Guinness world records, he is determined that 2012 will become his year. Mr Lynn travelled to Rockingham on Monday to see how many windows he could add to his tally from our area after adding his special touch to Perth’s northern suburbs.

Despite battling rheumatoid arthritis, Mr Lynn is aiming to wash more than one million windows by Australia Day 2013, with more than 500,000 completed since January. Mr Lynn charges $2 for his window washing services, donating one third of the profits towards The Royal Flying Doctor Service and another third to The Salvation Army. “I travel from place to place, currently living out of my car trying to wash as many windows as I can,” Mr Lynn said. 

George Lynn is going for a Guinness world record for cleaning windows.

“I have a log book that I fill in as my evidence and I aim to wash about 10,000 a week.” “The best thing about this mission is that I get to talk to so many people and travel around by myself, there is nothing wrong with bringing a little sunshine into others lives.” Mr Lynn said he first saw the opportunity to make it into the Guinness World Records on a trip to Abu Dhabi, finding himself at the airport with no local currency and in dire need of a cuppa and something to eat.

Trying his luck with an English café owner, Mr Lynn offered to wash his store windows in exchange for something to eat. “It was at that moment I realised there could be money in this and an opportunity to travel,” Mr Lynn has travelled all across Australia in his fifth attempt and has planned Harvey as his next destination.

Brodex Systems at the FWC Show + Squeegee World Record Champions

Both Guinness World Speed Squeegee cleaning records were broken at the Federation of Window Cleaners trade show in Blackpool, UK last week. Here is some footage I managed to obtain, personal & from the second from the internet. Enjoy...

Brodex - Helping To Build Your Pure Water Cleaning Business. Brodex have been designing & manufacturing pure water cleaning systems and water fed poles since 1998. Hundreds of professional window cleaners across the world rely on Brodex quality & innovation to build their successful pure water window cleaning businesses. Whether you are a window cleaner, cleaning large commercial building or a small company with small commercial or domestic customers brodex can supply all your water fed pole system needs. Brodex build systems from 50 litres to 2000litre and telescopic water fed poles from 6ft to 60ft for your complete ladder-less window cleaning business needs.



“You're Brodex's best sales person” Brodex have built their business on word of mouth promotion. With 100’s of satisfied customers who willingly “Spread the word about the virtues of brodex and their products”. But they realise that many of their customers are very busy and don’t get the time to make that extra bit of effort to tell their friends about Brodex so… they thought they would encourage you with a little incentive scheme.
Brodex say "You deserve a reward for getting us new business as you have saved us the costs of advertising so we would like to offer you a jaw dropping £100 if you can “refer us to a fellow window cleaner who then goes on to buy a brodex pure water fed pole cleaning system. Yes that £100 justs for Talking!"

Window Cleaner Smashes World Record

Click the links to watch more videos! More videos from the show this week! Watch the video above that was a BBC broadcast just after the show had finished! Terry & Debbie both broke the world records on the day for the womens & mens titles.

Chamois man leathers world record: A martial arts specialist used black belt moves to help him break his own record as the world's fastest window cleaner. Terry "Turbo" Burrows, 54, left three windows gleaming in just 9.14 seconds at the 2009 window cleaning competition in Blackpool, Lancashire. Mr Burrows from Romford, Essex, a black belt in karate, said his success was due "to moving the body in sequence". Andrew Lee, of the Federation of Window Cleaners, confirmed the record. He said: "He left just two water marks on them, so we had to add a second to his original time of 8.14 seconds, to make 9.14 seconds - a brilliant achievement." 'Too fast' Mr Burrows said: "I clean the windows in just 16 moves, and it's pretty intense," he said. He has been cleaning windows for the past 30 years and has taken part in competitions across the country. Competitors have to clean three 4ft (1.2m) high windows in the quickest time possible.
The regulation surrounding their tools is strict - they are only allowed to have a soap applicator and a "squejy", a special wiper that removes the soap.
He set his last record of 9.24 seconds in 2005, which stayed unbroken until he beat it earlier in front of crowds of people by Blackpool Zoo. "Many people try to break my record, but they're just not fast enough. Some of them are still trying to clean the windows after 10 seconds, well I'm finished by then," Mr Burrows said. He said he had now opted out of one of the UK's main window cleaning competitions, at the NEC in Birmingham. "I was just too fast for them and I kept on winning and taking home the cash, they call me Terry Turbo Burrows. "I bowed out so people would still keep on competing so they had a chance of winning." The father-of-two has appeared on Record Breakers. In the early 1990s, he and a friend, aptly named John McLean, cleaned the inside of camera screens for Carlton TV between programmes.

Window cleaner smashes world record: HEY Mister – you've missed a bit! This expert window cleaner was taking no chances as he smashed his own world record for speed. Terry Burrows, or "Turbo Terry" as he prefers to be known, glided into the Guinness World Record books when he cleaned three large glass panes in a speedy 9.14 seconds. Terry, who is 54 and from Essex, was in the resort for the Federation of Window Cleaners annual conference and decided to try to better his existing 9.24 second time. Glass was gleaming at the De Vere Hotel as a squeegee- wielding Terry warmed up for the challenge. Colleagues from across the UK watched in awe as the man dubbed the Linford Christie of window cleaning tried and failed in his first three attempts. On the fourth try squeaky clean Terry hit the jackpot, shining the three 45in x 45in panes in record time. He said: "I'm elated to have shaved so much time off my record. "It's extremely hard, it takes a while to warm up and I drove 270 miles this morning so I wasn't feeling too fresh. By my fourth time, however, I was back in the zone and actually managed to clean the planes in 8.14 seconds with two half-second time penalties."
Terry believes his glass shining stealth is due to his former career as a boxer and karate instructor, which taught him the importance of fast hand movement. He spends less than three seconds on each pane and can use only a 12in squeegee and a 14in T bar in line with Guinness guidelines. Any smear of soap left on the pane picks up a time penalty and Terry must wipe the sill at the bottom to complete the challenge. He smashed his first record in 1995 as part of TV show Record Breakers with a speed of 9.99 seconds. In 2005 he broke his own record during The Cleaning Show at NEC Birmingham with a 9.24 second time. Terry said: "I'd never say never as far as beating my own record again goes, but at the end of the day, a man can only go so fast. "I would love to die with my record and know I went as the world's fastest window cleaner."