Gill Punt, a courageous PE teacher from Worcestershire, has set a Guinness World Record for the fastest ice marathon dressed as a mammal — completing the Polar Night Marathon in Norway in under five hours while fully suited up as a polar bear.
Running in extreme Arctic conditions with temperatures plunging to -23°C, Gill described her start as terrifying:
“I was terrified at the start, it was -14 degrees and the temperature was even lower on the mountain pass,” she recalled.
Despite the chilling weather and the heavy costume, she pushed through with grit and humor, crossing the finish line to roaring cheers and a new title under her belt.
Gill’s icy adventure wasn’t just for the record books — it was also a powerful charity effort. Her incredible feat adds to her ongoing mission of raising funds for Cancer Research UK, with her total contributions now approaching an astonishing £2 million.
Her achievement stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and compassion — and proves that even in the coldest conditions, some hearts burn unstoppable.
