Lieutenant Jim Fraser has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for running the quickest half marathon while wearing a gas mask

Meet Shropshire world record holder Lieutenant Jim Fraser who has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for running the quickest ever half marathon – while wearing a gas mask.

Lieutenant Fraser works as a helicopter instructor with No 660 Squadron on the Defence Helicopter Flying School based at RAF Shawbury. In March he donned the head gear to run the Yeovil Half Marathon.

His record time smashed the previous world record.

He posted a time of 1 hour 51 minutes and 31 seconds breaking the previous record of 2 hours 36 minutes and 59 seconds set by Christopher Filipowski at the Brooklyn Half Marathon in New York in May 2010.

Previous record holder Mr Filipowski ran as his self-created character the ‘Swineflu Avenger’ whose outfit also included a flack jacket, kevlar helmet and baton. The gas mask he used was a fully functioning M-17A2.

Lieutenant Fraser said wearing the mask made running much more exhausting.

He said: “You see so many people asking for sponsorship money but I wanted to do something different, something that would catch people’s eye.

“I hoped they would recognise how difficult running the distance in a respirator would be and be more inclined to part with their hard earned cash.”

Lieutenant Fraser, who has piloted Lynx helicopters based on ships conducting counter-drug and disaster relief operations, said the respirator is issued to all military personnel in case of biological or chemical attack.

He added: “It was horribly uncomfortable to wear.

“The first few miles were okay but I started to feel dizzy after mile eight.

“I could not feel my legs after nine and when I got to 10 I thought I would pass out.

“I found it really hard to breathe but I just kept ploughing on to the end.”

He ran in aid of Help for Heroes and managed to raise £1,200.

The charity supports members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in the service of their country.