Try Running 26.2 Miles In THIS

Running a marathon is hard enough for most people. Some people, nonetheless, like to mix in some extra sweating and chaffing via elaborate "marathon costumes". Sometimes these costumes are just for fun, but often they are used to raise awareness and money for benevolent causes. Below are some of the most creative, hilarious, and uncomfortable marathon outfits ever witnessed.

Save the Rhino - London 2007 - 22 lbs rhino suit + 26.2 miles + 77°F (25°C)

NYC 2005 - to raise awareness for testicular cancer

London 2008 - Michelle Frost, first marathon on stilts - 8 hr 25 min

Spidey's up against a new nemesis - the pulled hammy.

Masai warriors from Tanzania compete in traditional dress to raise money to provide their village with water. If you look closely you can see that they have old car tires as shoes. - London 2008

These men ran a half-marathon in full fire fighter's gear, including oxygen tanks.

Many of these photos were discovered in the Flickr 'Runners in Costume' Pool, with credits going to their respective photographers.

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A Space Divided: The World’s Craziest Fences

As a runner I get to see things in slow motion. I don ’t pass by the world at 65 miles an hour, but at a nice slow pace. Eventually, jogging past property after property, one starts to notice some mighty strange things. Strange house, strange trees, strange vehicles, strange animals, etc. Here are some great examples of strange fences. I haven't spotted all of these myself but I've seen my share (problem is I never take my camera running).

Bike Fence

Bowling Ball Fence

Used Artillery Fence

Junk Fence

Ski Fence

Bra Fence

Toothbrush Fence

Surf Board Fence

Gates Without Fences

I don't think these are going to do much good.

Men, Don’t Forget: You Have Nipples

The photos below may be a little disturbing to some people, but they're a provide an important reminder: Men, don't forget that you have nipples too.

For those who may be unfamiliar with this phenomenon, it is called male nipple chafing, or sometimes, the "sad clown face". The repeated abrasion between the skin and a wet shirt (particularly cotton) over thousands and thousands of strides eventually causes the below to happen. It's completely preventable - band aids or a lubrication product called BodyGlide will usually do the trick.

Seen While Running: Eaten By Trees

One of the pleasures of running is the ability to observe everything as you trot along. You see little subtleties that you wouldn't notice as you race past in a car. I have run the same routes dozens of times and I always see something new and interesting each time. Here are some examples of trees that might look normal at 60mph, but they’ll give you a good excuse to stop for a breather if you see them in the wild.

Nothing unusual, just a beetle on a tree.

This sign still surprisingly legible considering it is about to be swallowed completely.

For good luck, hikers push a penny into this old log.

Look closely; the tree has actually grabbed the basin and lifted it off the ground.

You know those neighbors that never take down their Christmas lights?
This is what will eventually happen.

This is definitely the best bike lock I’ve ever seen.

For fences with a similar effect, see these unusual fences

Take a Dump In Your Pants If You Need To

I get a kick out of the signs that people hold during road races. Marathon signs are always particular interesting because people train so hard to run one and they get their whole family involved. Here are some really creative signs displayed for marathon runners.

Only at the LA marathon

These are even better: Creative, Hilarious Marathon Costumes