IT was monkey business in London for a Shrawley man who donned a gorilla costume to break the men’s world record for fastest marathon in a fullbody animal costume.

Bruce Moore, 48, achieved the Guinness World Record by setting a time of three hours, 31 minutes and 36 seconds for the 26.2 mile distance at Sunday’s marathon.

The father-of-four was raising money for Community Service Volunteers. He is chief executive of Hanover Housing Association, where staff and residents are celebrating its 50th anniversary by collecting funds for charities.

He bought the furry suit online through Amazon and said: “It is quite heavy and hairy and the mask rather claustrophobic.”

He added: “I didn’t do much training in the gorilla suit apart from a couple of relatively short runs in my outfit because it is quite difficult to run in with a full plastic mask and it does attract quite a bit of attention.”

Meanwhile, there was no monkeying around on the capital’s road for other Wyre Forest marathon runners, who were also raising money.

Claire Pawson, 45, was collecting for Children with Cancer UK and finished in four hours, one minute.

She said: “My favourite part was running over Tower Bridge and around the Cutty Sark.”

James Green, 37, of Kidderminster, ran for the Stroke Association, raising about £1,700.

He finished in three hours, 41 minutes, 54 seconds and shook hands with Sir Richard Branson at the finish line. He added: “The crowd was out in force and gave everyone amazing support.”

James Didlick, 36, of Kidderminster ran the course in four hours, 18 minutes and is on course to collect £1,800 for Childhood First.

“I would like to do it again as I have really caught the bug,” he added.

Kidderminster resident Rachel Heath, 32, sponsored for the British Heart Foundation, has raised more than £800 so far. She said: “There were numerous banners on the route [for Boston victims] which was moving and more crowds lined the streets than I have ever seen.”

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