You can trust James McCallum to turn heads at a sporting event dressed in a full suit. This time, he’s setting his sights on breaking a world record, for a good cause of course, at the upcoming 21km Cape Town Running Festival.
Cape Town, South Africa (21 May 2025) – You may remember the audacious and dapper gent who powerfully took on the Cape Town Cycle Tour in under three hours in a full business suit earlier this year? Well, he’s back and he has his sights set on an even bigger challenge.
James McCallum, popularly known as “Man in a Suit”, is looking to show up and show out at the upcoming 21km Cape Town Running Festival. What’s more? He is looking to break the world record for the fastest half marathon run in a full business suit.
While James has been hard at work preparing for this ambitious challenge, we managed to get in touch with the triathlete and chat a bit about the excitement leading up to his newest pursuit and the motivation behind it.
“I am following a running programme and hoping to be in great shape by the time the record attempt comes around,” James shares.
“With six weeks to go from next week, the training will pick up quite a bit to get those extra miles in and probably some heat training sessions to deal with not overheating in the suit.”
At the heart of the motivation behind this particular challenge is to demonstrate that any regular person can make a difference to other people’s lives in some way, shape or form and wearing a suit is a symbol of that regular everyday person.
And the difference that James is running for is to support Jumping Kids and the disabled children and athletes it empowers.
“It (the run) is also motivated by the fact that disabled athletes have to overcome huge challenges mentally and physically when competing. So wearing the suit is a minuscule way in which I can show some solidarity by making this event more physically and mentally challenging.
“It is hugely motivating doing this for the incredible organisation that is Jumping Kids and trying to raise funds and awareness for the amazing work which they do,” James explains.
While breaking this world record would admittedly be a great triumph for James, it would mean so much more if it would help shine a spotlight on the charity he is passionately supporting.
“I feel that breaking it would bring a lot more attention to the charity which I’m doing it for, and if I could inspire someone else to start their own campaign to help other charitable organisations or even individuals, that would be absolutely amazing.
“So to summarise, this record means more to me the more it can influence people’s lives in a positive way.”
Keep an eye out for the stylish runner who is proving that determination and a bit of unconventional attire can achieve extraordinary things!
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