But that’s what Islander Will Highfield has done. Perhaps better known as Jersey Gorilla (or Will from the Till), the Durrell customer liaison officer and gorilla-enclosure volunteer completed the race in 3 hrs 53 mins.
It was the 27-year-old’s flagship fundraising event in almost a year of challenges to raise money for a new gorilla enclosure at the zoo.
To date, he has raised almost £22,000 of his £26,000 target. He is still due to run on a treadmill at Durrell between 9.30am and 5pm and hold a charity quiz at the Merton Hotel, which he says will take him beyond his target of £1,000 a mile.
Speaking about Sunday’s run, the St Saviour resident, and Pride of Jersey finalist, said: ‘It was really hot and the worst bit was the head because my head was getting so warm. But it’s great because I think without the costume I would not have raised as much.
He added: ‘I am locally born and growing up I was always visiting the zoo as a kid and I loved it.
‘Now I work and volunteer there and I want to give as much as I can to continue the legacy of Gerald Durrell. It’s a vital part of the Island and globally. People forget we have 50 projects in 18 countries.’
Mr Highfield said ‘a five-year plan’ of fundraising will be announced at the quiz night on 15 November.
‘This year has been so incredibly successful so I don’t want to stop. The plan is going to take me around the world raising money for Durrell.’
For more information on the quiz, to book a table or to donate visit Jersey Gorilla on Facebook.
