A RUNNER who pounds the streets of Ealing and Fulham dressed as a rhino is featuring in a new video designed to inspire people to get fit and take up sport.
British marathon runner, Vincent O’Neill, 43, is the latest athlete to feature in a video by the footwear and sports equipment company ASICS, as part of its ‘Journey of Improvement’ campaign.
The 90-second video follows Mr O'Neill as he trains through the streets of London in fancy dress, representing the conservation charity, Save the Rhino International.
Mr O'Neill runs most of his races in a life-sized rhinoceros outfit that weighs over 11 kgs.
He said: "I’ve competed in a number of marathons all round the world; however I wanted to push myself further. For me, the combination of running in costume and raising money for charity was the perfect challenge. I wanted to prove to myself that I could better my best. Ordinary people can challenge themselves and achieve extraordinary things."
Commenting on the new video, the London runner said: "The video does a fantastic job capturing what it feels like to run in the suit and the reaction it creates from members of the public. The rhino suit makes the race more physically demanding, so I have to train a lot harder to be fit enough to carry its weight, over 42km. I hope the video inspires fellow sportspeople to achieve extraordinary things in 2013."
Running rhino Mr O'Neill has charged his way through the London Marathon (in 2012) and the London- Paris triathlon Challenge (2011) and is planning to take part in the Comrades (ultra) Marathon, South Africa (89k) in June 2013. With 4.17, he currently is holds the fastest rhino costume time in the Save the Rhino’s history.
