Pram Power: Danish Super Dad Clocks 1:08:04 Half Marathon with Stroller

Danish “super dad”, Jacob Sommer Simonsen, has recently set an astounding world record for completing a half marathon whilst pushing a stroller, clocking an incredible 1:08:04, and beating the previous record by 34 seconds. This feat is not only a new world record for Simonsen but also for his 1-year-old son, Viggo, an emerging star who may not have even taken his first steps yet but has already accomplished a world record.

As you might expect, Simonsen isn’t new to the running circuit. Earlier this year, he earned the title of Danish Champion at the 2023 Copenhagen Marathon, finishing ninth overall with a formidable time of 2:14:46. Simonsen’s prowess is internationally recognised, having represented Denmark at the 2019 and 2023 World Cross-Country Championships. His latest feat, though, is unique and signals a new chapter in his distinguished career.

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A post shared by Jacob Simonsen (@jacobssimonsen)

Runners pushing strollers (or pushchairs, as we call them in the UK) are generally nestled at the back of the starting line. However, in Simonsen’s case, and to maintain fair competition in his ambitious bid for the record, he was granted a prime position at the front. The logistics of the race involved another runner following Simonsen to capture the race on video, a necessary condition to ratify the attempt and make the record official as per Guinness World Record rules.

Simonsen proved his mettle by finishing fifth overall, with his time just a minute and a half behind the winner, Omar Hassan, who won in 01:06:31. The mental and physical demands of running at such a pace while maintaining control of the stroller are immense, a fact not lost on Simonsen. In a video posted to Instagram, he noted, “It was pretty special running with him since you only have one hand on the steering wheel. So that’s tough”.

Another Instagram post by Personal Best captures the delight and astonishment at Simonsen’s achievement perfectly: “Imagine having a world record before you’ve turned 1!” And indeed, Viggo is now part of a world record, secured snugly in his stroller while his super dad turned an everyday parenting tool into a vehicle for athletic achievement.

You can see Simonsen incredible achievement on Strava here: