Billie Barton takes on world record attempt for longest crochet chain made while running a marathon
Billie Barton is taking the runner’s stitch to the next level, training to produce more than 145m of crochet – all while running a marathon.
Lifestyle
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A Darwin woman is attempting to set a new world record making the longest crochet chain while running a marathon, giving a whole new meaning to a runner’s stitch.
Billie Barton is training for the Melbourne Marathon in October, developing a belt system to hold the more than 145.8m of crochet chain she will need to produce in order to beat the current record.
The 28-year-old has never attempted such a long run before, but was inspired to take on the knotty challenge to raise money for Beyond Blue after struggling with her own mental health.
“I have struggled a fair bit with depression and anxiety the last couple of years, and I’ve had really good support around me, friends and family,” she said.
“There’s so many people out there that don’t have the support that they need, and organisations like Beyond Blue are helping to provide it – I’ve found the main thing you need is people there for you.”
Crocheting itself has become a form of mindfulness for Ms Barton ever since a friend taught her how to make a stubby holder a decade ago.
“We sat on the beach, drinking beers, learning how to crochet and I just kind of became addicted to it,” she said.
It has helped manage her anxiety, as well as build community through crochet workshops she hosts locally.
“To get your hands going kind of slows you down a bit,” she said.
“It’s really rewarding seeing this group of people who, at the start, all feel pretty unsure if they can do it, and by the end everyone can – and they seem really proud of themselves.”
Ms Barton also runs a business making crochet bags from her Millner home, stocking Baggins Bags at Nightcliff’s Sister Buffalo shop, pop-ups across the NT, and in Melbourne.
Despite the professional crochet credentials, Ms Barton’s marathon training has required fine tuning her hand-eye coordination.
“I was on a hike recently and had some yarn so crocheted while walking the Jatbula Trail, just to start getting the muscle memory and get comfortable with not looking.”
Originally from Victoria, she chose to race in Melbourne for the home-crowd support and accountability.
“I want to have friends come at maybe 5km intervals and hand me different balls of yarn as I need it,” she said.
“Plus hopefully a good crowd cheering me on can get me crocheting a bit faster … now everyone knows about it there’s no backing out!”
The current Guinness World Record for the longest crochet chain made while running a marathon was set by British woman Louise Warwick in Manchester on April 16, 2023, reaching 145.8m.
Donate to Beyond Blue at: https://melbmara2024.grassrootz.com/beyondblue/billie-barton-1
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