Meet the man running the Melbourne marathon on stilts

Santiago Vergara will take part in the Melbourne marathon this weekend while wearing stilts, aiming to set a new record for the fastest marathon completed on the apparatus. The event is scheduled to run through the city’s standard marathon course, with Vergara competing alongside the broader field of runners.

Vergara’s specific objective is to become the fastest person to finish a marathon while on stilts. The attempt is being closely watched as a unique challenge within the marathon community, given the rarity of such an endeavor.

Running a marathon on stilts presents distinct physical demands, requiring balance, coordination and endurance beyond those required for a conventional run. Participants must maintain the elevated posture and manage the additional strain on the lower limbs throughout the 42.195‑kilometre distance.

The attempt is set to occur during the Melbourne marathon this weekend, with Vergara’s performance expected to be recorded and compared against any previous attempts at the same feat.