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Space & Astronomy

Tim Peake prepares to run marathon in space

By T.K. Randall
April 21, 2016 · Comment icon 12 comments

Running a marathon is a gruelling challenge at the best of times. Image Credit: NASA
The British astronaut will be running the London marathon while aboard the International Space Station.
Peake, who arrived on the orbital outpost back in December 2015, will be joining thousands of other runners by strapping himself in to a treadmill and running the entire 26.2-mile course in space.

The only other person to have ever run a marathon in space was astronaut Suni Williams who managed to complete the Boston marathon aboard the station back in 2007.

Preparing to run a race in zero-gravity however presents a rather unique set of challenges.
"I don't think you can ever do enough training for a marathon," said Peake. "The toughest part has been getting used to the harness system. It's like running with a clumsy rucksack on."

"You can get chafing around your hips and shoulders."

With only three days remaining before the event however his time to prepare is now almost over.



Source: The Guardian | Comments (12)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #3 Posted by Saru 8 years ago
Looks like he's succeeded and has even earned a new Guinness World Record to boot. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/24/runners-high-tim-peake-finishes-london-marathon-in-space
Comment icon #4 Posted by Sundew 8 years ago
Congratulations! (Also the stations batteries are fully charged now!)
Comment icon #5 Posted by Black Monk 8 years ago
London Marathon? He actually went the equivalent of just over twice around Earth's equator.
Comment icon #6 Posted by MissJatti 8 years ago
Well done Peake
Comment icon #7 Posted by diablo_04 8 years ago
Its interesting how people are doing dumb stuff just to get any recognition...and don't forget he is in a 0 gravity so its close like siting in a big char in moving my legs in mid air for half a day and say I just finish a marathon.
Comment icon #8 Posted by Waspie_Dwarf 8 years ago
Its interesting how people are doing dumb stuff just to get any recognition If you think the first official British astronaut (or ANY astronaut) needs to do this to get recognition then you are deluding yourself. and don't forget he is in a 0 gravity so its close like siting in a big char in moving my legs in mid air for half a day and say I just finish a marathon. No it really isn't like that. The entire point of the tread mill on the ISS is to provide exercise by simulating 1g. Strong elastic is used to pull the astronaut onto the tread mill. Running a marathon on that device would be like r... [More]
Comment icon #9 Posted by paperdyer 8 years ago
If you think the first official British astronaut (or ANY astronaut) needs to do this to get recognition then you are deluding yourself. No it really isn't like that. The entire point of the tread mill on the ISS is to provide exercise by simulating 1g. Strong elastic is used to pull the astronaut onto the tread mill. Running a marathon on that device would be like running a marathon on a tread mill on Earth. Yes, but minus the heat/cold, wind, etc. I applaud Peake for doing it at all, but the 15 minutes of fame has to be in there somewhere.
Comment icon #10 Posted by diablo_04 8 years ago
If you think the first official British astronaut (or ANY astronaut) needs to do this to get recognition then you are deluding yourself. Fame is like a drug, you have attention h*** and this can be found in any job deion....being an astronaut doesn't make him immune and if you think because he is an astronaut he is not for the fame, then you are the one who is delusional. No it really isn't like that. The entire point of the tread mill on the ISS is to provide exercise by simulating 1g. Strong elastic is used to pull the astronaut onto the tread mill. Running a marathon on that device would be... [More]
Comment icon #11 Posted by Krater 8 years ago
I just completed a marathon running in place in my swimming pool. Does that count, too?
Comment icon #12 Posted by ROGER 8 years ago
Well I'm 62 yrs old and weigh in at a slim trim 380 lbs . so Color me impressed all the same .


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