London Marathon 2015: The race where Mona Lisa goes neck-and-neck with a T.rex

Introducing five of this year's extreme charity runners

Ian Bates with the dinosaur costume in which he runs the Marathon, and Gemma Kirkham, who this year will be dressed as Mona Lisa

For some, the idea of running 26 miles and 385 yards in the company of 37,000 or so fellow athletes isn’t quite challenging enough. For them, a marathon isn’t really a marathon unless they’re tied to another runner, for example, or dressed as a gorilla. This year’s London Marathon will see many running for charity, to earn a place in the record books, or both. Indeed, the event has netted more than £700m since 1981. Here are five of this year’s extreme charity runners.

Ian Bates

Dinosaur

Ian Bates, 44, from Crawley, is hoping to set a new record running in a 3D dinosaur costume. To make it, he needs to finish in six hours or less wearing his 38kg T rex costume.

Donations: justgiving.com/bates44

Gemma Kirkham

Masterpiece

Gemma Kirkham, 33, ran her first Marathon some years ago, but this year, dressed as Mona Lisa she aims to set a world record for the fastest framed painting.

Donations: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Marathonmona

For some runners a marathon isn’t really a marathon unless they’re in a costume

Natalie Eckert

High-heeled runner

In February, Natalie Eckert, 37, from Stoke, ran in heels for 24 hours in a charity event. She says her 3in heels for the London Marathon feel like “slippers”.

Donation: justgiving.com/teams/teamstiletto

Debbie Leeland & Paula Marshall

Three-legged runners

It’s not Debbie Leeland and Paula Marshall’s first Marathon, but it’s the first tied together at the ankles. They’re hoping to raise £3,500.

Donations: virginmoneygiving.com/vmlm2015_3-legged

Rob Young

Marathon Man

Rob Young, 32, from Richmond, south London, is attempting to complete a staggering 370 marathons in a year, after being inspired by fundraisers at the 2014 London Marathon. He hopes to raise £100,000 for charity.

Donations: marathonmanuk.com