Tailored To Go The Distance

On 31 August at the Sydney Marathon, Jason Hunt will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a three-piece suit - dressed head to toe in a custom, tailored InStitchu ensemble.

In the lead-up to his Guinness World Record attempt for the fastest marathon ever run in a three-piece suit, Jason Hunt put himself (and our tailoring) to the test at Sydney’s City2Surf. Running the entire course in a custom, tailored suit, Jason proved that performance and style can go the distance. We sat down with him afterwards to hear about his preparation, mindset, and what it takes to chase such an extraordinary goal.

Let’s start at the beginning — what first inspired you to lace up your running shoes and start training for marathons?

I needed to set a good example. I played a lot of sports as a kid, but was pretty bad at all of them. Running had also never really been something I had done outside of the compulsory school cross countries. In my last year of school, I was a senior leader in the local army cadets. We had annual competition will all of the other cadet units around NZ and there was a pretty large fitness/running element to it. So as a leader, I figured I needed to up my game. After getting somewhat consistent with the training, I discovered I was somewhat ok at running and actually enjoyed it. University was really when I got into it a bit more and did my first half marathon. It was 8 years later that I ran my first marathon after having played around with duathlon and also racing competitively in long distance triathlon. The commitment to training of triathlon, alongside working a full time job got too much, so a decide just to pursue running with the focus on becoming a marathon runner. Three years later, here we are, thinking that running a sub 2:40 marathon in a suit is a good idea!

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You're about to attempt the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon in a three-piece suit. Where did the idea come from, and what drew you to such a unique challenge?

Same place most crazy ideas come from, the bottom of a coffee cup. A chance and completely unrelated conversation with a former Institchu employee where the topic of running in a suit came up. I thought it sounded kinda fun and wondered if there was a world record for it, and of course there was (there’s a world record for everything!). I then forgot about the idea until Soh Rui Yong broke the record at the London Marathon this year, which reignited the thought. It’s such a fun and different thing to do. For someone who usually takes their running pretty seriously, this seemed like the perfect way to have a bit of fun with it, while keeping the competitive edge.

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You recently ran the city to surf in a three piece suit, how did wearing an InStitchu custom, tailored three-piece suit change the race-day experience, physically and mentally?

For a start, ironing a shirt the night before a running race was an odd experience! Going into the race itself was fun though, I had no expectations, no pressure, just go out, have some fun and get a feel for what the big day will be like. Getting a feel for how I move in a suit, how warm it was going to be, what might need to be tweaked or altered, was invaluable and we took some great learnings that we will take into the marathon. But it really was a joy - people loved seeing some lunatic out there running in a suit! “Go suit man!”, “You’re gonna be late for your meeting!”, “looking sharp!”, “what the ****” everyone loved it in one way or another! Even my fellow runners loved the experience (well other than the ones that were a bit pissed a being passed 10km in by a guy in a suit).

Tell us a bit about your suit, how did you design it with performance (and style) in mind, and what role did fit and fabric play in your decision?

Firstly, it was a pretty strange experience getting measured up. The first time I’ve ever had a custom tailored suit - and it was to run in - go figure. Fit wise, we tried to figure out what parts were better tighter to the body and where we wanted more room for movement - not as simple as it sounds - I mean who has experience running in a suit! Fabric wise, wool was always the plan. Ensuing we could get a lightweight weave, with naturally thermoregulating qualities was key to make a suit that wasn’t going to boil me from the inside out. That along with a fully deconstructed and unlined build to keep the weight down, and movement free was super important. Having worn them for this now, I think it’s the way to even if you’re not going to run it it! And of course looking the part, is 9/10th being the part, so we had to make sure the style we chose looked epic too - but you’ll have too wait and see the final are suit!

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Looking back, what was the most surprising or memorable moment from training so far?

I’ve been quite surprised at how non restrictive running in a suit actual is. I was sure that coupled with the heat would be the obvious issues, but I’ve not really found that to be a problem, which is great. As long as you have enough room in the thigh, everything is good!

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Finally, whether in running or in life, what’s your advice for someone chasing a bold, slightly unconventional goal?

I have two that come to mind. My favourite quote is “You don’t have to be great to start, but you do have to start to be great.” - and I think that’s the key, you have to give something a go, without it being perfect and knowing you might fail. Worst case is you do fail, and you give it another crack. The other is “just go running”. Now this is metaphorical, unless of course you are a runner, but it means don’t overcomplicate it, just get out there and do the thing.

Crafted from Woolmark-certified 100% Australian Merino wool and woven with a unique natural stretch for enhanced mobility and breathability, Jason’s suit blends precision tailoring with performance-grade comfort. Designed to conquer 42.2 kilometres in style, it’s a bold reminder that with the right fit, anything is possible.

To start designing your own custom, tailored overat, try our online design tool, or alternatively make a video appointment or showroom appointment.