Hackney Chronicle: UK Power Networks director Sotiris Georgiopoulos is getting ready to run the London Marathon dressed in full protective gear.

A UK Power Networks boss is getting ready to run the London Marathon dressed in full protective gear. Sotiris Georgiopoulos, an experienced marathon runner and a company director, will wear a hard hat, goggles, hi-vis jacket, flame-retardant boiler suit, and even carry a volt meter during the 26-mile challenge. The East Finchley resident also wants to honour UK Power Networks’ 3,500 employees who wear the protective equipment every day on the job. He hopes the attempt will earn him a place in the Guinness Book of Records, while also paying tribute to his colleagues and raising funds for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The record he aims to break is for the 'fastest male electrical engineer' if he can break 4hrs 30mins. Mr Georgiopoulos is planning two long practice runs in the gear before the race on Sunday, April 26. He said: "The additional layers could make it hard going in the heat and it could get very heavy in the rain, so I’ll be running with extra weight for four hours. I need to think about regularly taking on calories and enough water. "Despite that, I’m really looking forward to participating in such an amazing event and raising money for charity." To sponsor him, visit https://events.dofe.org/fundraisers/sotiris/london-marathon-2026. Read more Colin the Caterpillar welcomes shoppers into revamped M&S storeLate winner and five‑goal collapse cap dramatic week for Enfield Borough Mr Georgiopoulos is just one of several UK Power Networks employees taking on the marathon this year. Steve Nguyen from east London is also taking part. He has entered the London Marathon ballot for the past five years and says winter training has been "character building". Former Borehamwood AC member Jack Powell, based in Hemel Hempstead, is a regular triathlete, but this will be his first marathon. He has set himself the target of finishing in under three hours and 30 minutes. He said: “I have been running on and off from a young age when I used to compete for Borehamwood Athletics Club but have not done strictly running events for some time.”