On July 31 2016, Sydney long distance runner Mike Tozer broke the world record for running a half marathon in a business suit. He was one of 600 athletes taking part in the Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival, but the only one who was dressed in a 3 piece suit.

The run was his second attempt at the record, after agonisingly missing out by seconds at the Sydney Half Marathon. This time he ran a more even paced race and finished in 1hr, 18 minutes and 10 seconds, taking three seconds off the previous record.

He made the attempt to raise awareness of fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition which affects his son. Mike says that “For me the suit is a metaphor for the condition. Running with the suit is like having someone pushing back and down on your shoulders. It’s tough. It holds you back. But it’s nothing compared to the daily challenges faced by those with fragile X.”

Mike has also been fundraising for Fragile X Association of Australia.  In the leadup to the Sydney Half Marathon in May 2016 he succeeded in raising over $4,000 for the work of the Association in supporting families across Australia affected by Fragile X.