CHATTANOOGA, TN (WTVC/CNN) - Irene Sewell set a world record in the marathon. But there's a twist. She ran the entire 26.2-mile race in high heels.
Sewell, a retired professional ballroom dancer, is used to moving around in high heels, but this challenge was one her doctor had advised her against.
"A normal training for a marathon, and then throw in the high heels every now and then," Sewell said.
It worked. She needed to complete the race in seven and a half hours, and crossed the finish line with two minutes to spare.
Sewell posted several thank yous to her Facebook page after the race, to members of her support team, the police and even the weather.
Sewell said she got the idea to run the race several years ago when a woman in London attempted the same thing, but did not achieve the record.
She went into the race with six pairs of the same shoe ranging in different sizes from seven and a half to nine. She also needed plenty of Band-Aids, insoles and calf sleeves. The only injury she didn't count on was a sunburn.
Her feat will be included in the Guinness Book of World Records.
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