Update: Amarasiriwardena (pictured above nearing the finish line) completed the Gloucester HalfMerryThon in a time of 1:24:41, besting the previous mark of 1:35:00 and earning him the right to say he's the fastest half-marathon runner while wearing a full suit.
Earlier: This Sunday, a drone will follow Ministry of Supply Co-founder Gihan Amarasiriwardena through the bucolic streets of Gloucester, MA.
The goal: witness Amarasiriwardena attempt to make history in the form of a very specific Guinness World Record – by recording the fastest half marathon time ... while wearing a full suit.
The stunt – though that word choice doesn't seem entirely fair; he is running 13.1 miles, after all – is well timed: Just recently, Boston-based Ministry of Supply launched its "3D Suit," a moisture-wicking polyester jacket and pants combo that retails for $700 and aims to solve a singular problem: "The problem with suits is that they aren't as comfortable as sweats." Amarasiriwardena, though, will be running in the Aviator suit, which was released last month.
Amarasiriwardena will tackle the Half MerryThon, setting out to break the previous record set by custom suiting company Indochino – which, coincidentally, moved into a spot on Newbury Street close to Ministry not that long ago – of 1 hour and 35 minutes.
But, as Ministry's Co-founder Aman Advani tells me, "Gihan's last half marathon was 1:21; so he's got some room!"
The rules and regulations, Advani assures me, are all very by the book, so to speak.
The Guinness Book of World Records approved their application and are on board with Sunday's attempt, as is the race's director. The drone will record the whole thing, so any mid-race outfit changes won't be allowed to fly.
Images via Ministry of Supply
