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# The Running Viola breaks world record in Birmingham
- URL: https://www.birminghameastside.co.uk/the-running-viola-breaks-world-record-in-birmingham/
- Published: 2017-10-16T16:07:50.000Z
- Updated: 2017-10-16T16:07:50.000Z
- Author: Alex Walters
- Tags: Charity, News, Sport, #Migrated-1786701253228, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-14 09:54

'The Running Viola', has set yet another world record this weekend at the **Birmingham International Marathon**.

**Alistair Rutherford** became the world's fastest marathon runner in a musical instrument costume this weekend after running the 

Birmingham Marathon  in 3 hours 23 minutes. 

> Student Alistair Rutherford has crossed the line. He's run the whole [#BirminghamMarathon](https://twitter.com/hashtag/BirminghamMarathon?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) dressed as a viola trying to break a world record! [pic.twitter.com/3YLFQsZ6Ci](https://t.co/3YLFQsZ6Ci?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk)
> 
> — Megan Jones (@MegannJ) [October 15, 2017](https://twitter.com/MegannJ/status/919518452276170752?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=birminghameastside.co.uk)

## "Everyone thought I was bleeding"

"It may have been amazing to look at... not so fun to run in." Alistair said.

> "My arms were so tired at the end I had to tuck them inside the costume.  
>  
> "I had a Facebook livestream going..the back of my calves were all orange (from the costume) and everyone thought I was bleeding, in the end it just looked like a bad fake tan job."

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214318593864753&set=ecnf.1413895976&type=3&theater

The **Birmingham City University Conservatoire student** has raised thousands in the process for ['**The Arco Project**'](http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/arco?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) a 

collaborative UK-South African project. **ARCO**, which is also the name for the technique of playing a stringed instrument with a bow, 

aims to provide the benefits and life changing inspiration of music to children in the most deprived circumstances.

Conservatoire staff and students – including Alistair – have been acting as role models for vulnerable youngsters living in Soweto, a Johannesburg township deeply affected by poverty and crime.

> "Music is my inspiration, the fact that I am able to change people's lives through charity. It's made me really take a step back and think how inspirational it is for the kids to study music out there \[Soweto, South Africa\]."

After setting another world record, there is a question of what next?

> "No specific plans in the costume, I'm looking forward to the cross country season, but I do have a plan to try and break my half marathon record at the Great North Run"

If you are wanting to follow his progress you can find him on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/therunningviola?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk) or via his [JustGiving page](https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/violaguinnessworldrecord?ref=birminghameastside.co.uk).