The boss of Highland Hospice is targeting an unlikely world record – by running the Inverness Half Marathon dressed as a bee.
Hospice chief executive Kenny Steele will attempt to smash the record of 1hr 46m 27s for running a half marathon dressed in a mascot suit.
The 47-year-old aims to fly round the 13.1 miles course dressed as the charity’s cuddly mascot, Bobby the Bee.
The current record is held by Jefferson the Dog, who completed the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon in 2011.
Kenny hopes that he will be able to beat that time – even though his costume is around 8ft tall – and raise lots of money for the hospice in the process.
Mr Steele, who started running with local club Inverness Harriers two years ago, completed last year’s race in 1hr 22m 58s – his current personal best – but will have to contend with his unwieldy costume this time.
He said: “It’s going to be a new challenge for me personally and I really hope that Bobby the Bee and I can beat the world record.
“It’s very ambitious, but I think it reflects the challenge for the Highland Hospice and the local community this year to raise the remaining £1.9million needed to rebuild our inpatient unit in Inverness.”
Kenny will be just one of hundreds of runners taking part in the Inverness Half Marathon on Sunday, March 8.
More than 2,000 entrants have already registered, and runners have until February 17 to get their entries in.
The half marathon route starts on the riverside at Bught Park and follows the River Ness before following roads around the south of the city centre.
It returns to the river and a spectacular finish on the track at Queen’s Park Stadium.
In addition to the half marathon, there is a 5k fun run which is also open to children accompanied by adults. It follows a route alongside the River Ness, and also finishes at the stadium.
Race director Malcolm Sutherland said: “As an event organiser, you always dream that a world record will be set at one of your races. However, I never expected that the record might come in the form of an 8ft tall bumble bee.”