Most T-Shirts Worn for a Half Marathon

Most runners prepare for a half marathon with miles, workouts, and recovery. My preparation included all of that, along with squeezing into more than a hundred layers of shirts and carrying what felt like a portable oven on my body. This is the story of how I reclaimed my Guinness World Records title for the Most T-Shirts Worn During a Half Marathon. It took years of planning, training, problem solving, and one unforgettable finish line.

The First Record: 111 T-Shirts in 2019

The journey began in 2019 when I broke the standing record by completing a half marathon wearing 111 T-shirts. The record had been about 87 shirts before that. Eventually, a couple of challengers pushed the number up again, raising the record to 127 shirts. If I wanted my title back, I had to level up my approach and my training.

Building the Mountain in My Living Room

To increase from my 111 t-shirt supply I had to build my wardrobe. I bought T-shirts until my living room looked like a T-shirt warehouse with 152 shirts organized by size. The layering had to be precise. One shirt that was too tight could ruin everything. But I also had to train.  

Training for the Impossible

Running in many layers is not exactly like running in normal clothes. It is heavy, hot, restrictive, and exhausting. To prepare, I spent months running in as many layers as possible. To practice I’d wear several shirts, fleeces, a rain jacket to trap moisture and heat, flannel and a winter coat. I added 35 to 50 pounds in a backpack and then I’d run. I ran outside in the cold and on treadmills at the YMCA. I wore hats and gloves to increase the difficulty and train my body for the heat. Little by little, my body adapted to the weight and heat. I thought I was ready.

Attempt One at Boise State University

My helpers and I lined up on the blue turf at Boise State University for the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon. This was the first time I had attempted to put on all the shirts at once. I can put on about 40 shirts by myself. Anything beyond that requires help. Shirt by shirt, my team layered me up. We reached 114 T-shirts. Then the trouble reached a critical level. I began losing circulation in my neck. It was risky to continue, and a medical emergency was not worth the attempt. I had to stop. It was gutting, but it was the right call. I decided I would regroup and maybe try again the next year.

Attempt Two at the Famous Idaho Potato Half Marathon

One year later, I lined up again. This time, I had a better strategy. I bought more large T-shirts. I removed the smaller ones that caused too much compression. I reorganized the entire layering plan. On race day, my team successfully put 137 T-shirts on me. The total weight was 48 pounds. My arms barely moved. My hands swelled. My wedding ring looked like it might never come off again. I could not reach my hands to my mouth to feed or water myself. My wife and team pushed water and food into my mouth while I stood there like a human T-shirt monument. But when the race started, it was time to run.

The Run: Heat, Spectators, and Determination

The heat inside the shirts came in waves. My support crew poured water on my head, arms, and legs to keep me from overheating. Since I could not move my hands, I relied completely on them. To earn the Guinness World Records title, I needed to finish the half marathon in under three hours. I banked a minute each of the first few miles. I stayed strong. I kept pushing.

One of the best parts of the experience was the spectators. People laughed, applauded, and encouraged me as I passed. Many took pictures and videos. Instead of feeling silly or embarrassed, I felt supported and energized. Their reactions helped keep me going during the toughest moments of the run.

Eventually, the finish line came into view. I crossed it with more than five minutes to spare.

Reclaiming My Guinness World Records Title

Finishing that half marathon wearing 137 T-shirts was one of the moments I wasn’t sure I was going to experience. Sometimes a record gets too had and I have to give it up.  After years of effort and one spectacular failed attempt, I finally reclaimed the Guinness World Records title so I’m so glad I didn’t give up. It was a mix of determination, creativity, endurance, and a lot of T-shirts.