Running 42,2 km in one go is tough.
Doing so while wearing a 4,6 kg chicken costume is downright unthinkable.
Unless you are Ross “The Rooster” Dold.
On Sunday 16 October, Dold (38) will be going all out to break a Guinness World record – “Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Bird” – while running the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in a chicken costume.
Starting and finishing outside the Cape Town Stadium in Sea Point, the race will take runners along a scenic route which will include views of Table Mountain, the Atlantic Ocean, historic landmarks, as well as many famous attractions and the hustle and bustle of Woodstock.
Hitting the tarmac along with a whole spectrum of running enthusiasts from elite athletes to social runners, the animal-loving civil engineer from Eversdal will run in aid of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Mobile Clinics.
Operating in informal settlements and impoverished communities around Cape Town, the mobile units provide primary veterinary care and educate owners about responsible pet care.
The experienced marathon and ultra-marathon athlete has been running to raise funds for the animal welfare organisation since 2017. He says the first time he ran in support of the SPCA, he wore a dog onesie.
“It drew quite a bit of attention and that kind of sparked the imagination to see what else can be done. That’s when I realised that the world record dressed as a bird was achievable,” says Dold.
He shares that “Ross the Rooster” is only six months old. For the design and manufacture of the custom-made chicken costume (weighing in at 4,6 kg), Dold turned to Captain Costume in Salt River. The one-piece costume requires him to jump in from the bottom. Once in there, his eyes line up with the chicken’s nostrils and his mouth with the beak, enabling him to see and breathe.
Some Capetonians might even have spotted him running around town in his costume these past few weeks.
“I have done a few training runs, with the latest one being a 25 km run along the Sea Point Promenade about two weeks ago.”
Dold says with his training for the race now complete, he is excited and ready to get dressed and run for three-and-a-half hours.
“If it rains, I won’t be able to run because the costume is basically a big sponge. And running against the wind isn’t easy. I am praying for calm and cool weather.”
Asked why he chose to support the SPCA’s mobile clinics, Dold praised the unit’s work in underprivileged communities.
“They do amazing work for domestic animals and wildlife with few people realising how much they do. When you say SPCA, people think ‘adopting pets’, but they also help so many communities who can’t afford it with vet care, animal rehabilitation, breaking down dog fighting rings – amazing, thankless work,” he says.
Dold will be sharing his sponsors’ prizes with people who support his efforts by donating.
Natasha Johannes, Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, says: “This means that anyone who helps Ross achieve his fundraising goal could win a fabulous prize – including luxury accommodation – just by doing good.”
The SPCA is encouraging runners who already have entries to run for Team SPCA – not necessarily dressed as chickens.
- For more information, contact awareness@spca-ct.co.za or Natasha on 021 700 4155.
- To support Ross the Rooster’s race for the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, visit https://capespca.co.za/fundraising/teamspca/guinness-world-record-attempt-fastest-marathon-dressed-as-a-rooster/
