Running in a business suit: Tallahassee runner to attempt to break Guinness world record

On a typical weekend, you might find Trevor Sununu building a computer or making movie props, like a flame thrower or Thor hammer, just for fun.

Anything odd, DIY or slightly challenging is just his cup of tea.

That’s why Sununu, a Florida State biology student and avid runner, is attempting to break the Guinness World Record for running in a three-piece business suit Sunday at the Tallahassee Marathon.

In the Tallahassee running realm, he's known to wear American flag short-shorts and and a single sleeve on his left arm instead of a shirt — no matter the weather.

The feat joins a list of other peculiar Guinness records like fastest marathons dressed as a witch, an astronaut or elf.

"I've always liked doing the interesting, not-as-easy-to-do thing," Sununu said. He’s setting out to beat the most recent record of 2:42:59 by a runner in Germany, according to the Guinness World Records website.

"Once in a while we'll have a race where people will run in costume," said Sheryl Rosen, chair of the marathon's organizing committee under Gulf Winds Track Club. "But this is the first time in the 12 years that I've been with Gulf Winds that I've seen someone try to break a record."

In recent years, he ran in a Batman costume during a superhero-themed race and participated in the Krispy Kreme Doughnut Dash 5K. Sununu says he was also the youngest to complete the 50-mile Tallahassee Ultra Distance Classic race in 2014.

Sunday’s weather, with a low of 48 and high in the low 70s, promises to be brisk, but running the 26.2 miles in a suit will, of course, leave him sweltering.

But he hopes the attempt will inspire others to take on a task they never thought they could do.

“I’d like to inspire people, not just kids but everyone, that even if it’s silly in some way like running in a suit, you can always try to push yourself,” he said, “and do something fun and amazing and silly, and accomplish what you’d like to do.”

Whether he triumphs or not, Sununu will see the effort as a victory within itself.

“Even just trying to do it and setting out on a goal can be very fun and accomplishing,” he said. “You can always try to push yourself further.”

Reach Nada Hassanein at nhassanein@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @nhassanein_.