PANTOMIME cows, horses, camels, donkeys and reindeers will take to the racetrack to set a new world record this summer.
The Great North Gallop takes place at Newcastle Racecourse on August 31 in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most two-person pantomime animal costumes to take part in a race.
Organiser Paul Donaghy, from Durham, has already set two world records, one for quickest 100 metres as a pantomime horse and another for the fastest half marathon by a pantomime camel.
He now hopes to recruit enough volunteers prepared to race half a furlong in a panto outfit to beat the current record, which stands at 53 animals or 106 people.
The event will raise around £3,000 for St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth.
Mr Donaghy said: “My father and I ran the London Marathon in 1999 and have completed many Great North Runs.
“My father, Peter, was looking through the Guinness World Record book and noticed another "pantomime animal record" that he thought I could attempt.
“So the Great North Gallop is an official attempt on the world record for the greatest number of two person pantomime animals in a single race at a single venue. We hope that there is a good crowd at the track to help cheer us on.”
Mr Donaghy is trying to find a minimum of 120 good sports from across the region to don the animal costumes and race at the Gosforth Park track, as part of the Blaydon Races Family Fun Day on Bank Holiday Monday.
To sign up for the Guinness World Record attempt, email greatnorthgallop@outlook.com. Companies wishing to sponsor an animal can do so for £50 through the charity page at https://www.justgiving.com/The-Great-North-Gallop
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