Big Pink Dress runner Colin unveils his new frock for London Marathon

Charity running champion Colin Burgin-Plews has unveiled his latest frock.
Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.
Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.

The fundraiser, better known as the Big Pink Dress, is set to wear this sequinned number when he takes on this year’s London Marathon.

The dedicated dad, from West Harton, South Shields, will be raising funds for Breast Cancer Now, a charity he has supported many times in his unusual guise.

Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.
Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colin, who lives with wife Cath and son Ollie, unveiled his new pink attire that was created for him by Aimee Smith of South Shields dress shop Kitty O’Hara.

The 47-year-old is a regular face at events like the Great North Run, but hit a stumbling block at last year’s London Marathon, when he broke two toes on his right foot just seven miles into the race.

He went on to complete it, but will be taking a safer route this year.

He said: “I’m going to be walking it, so it might take me about six hours to get to the finish line, but it’s not about the time, it’s about raising money for the charity.

Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.
Big Pink Dress Colin Burgin-Plews unveils his new London Marathon frock.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I absolutely love my new dress, I think I’ve got about 22 now. Aimee has done a brilliant job and I can’t thank her and the sponsors enough.

“A lot of maths and calculation actually went in to creating the dress. We even had to use pi to figure out the circumference, I bet most women don’t think about those kind of things when they go shopping.”

He added: “I tripped on the dress last year and broke my toes, so this time there’s a big hoop at the bottom to make sure I won’t do the same thing again.

“I’ve been told I need to have an operation after the marathon, though. Worst-case scenario is they’ll have to break my ankle and re-set everything.

“I’m in the VIP section though ,so I’ll be running with all the celebrities.”

The dress was sponsored by charity group Community Corner, with the corset sponsored separately by Kathie Tully.