Q&A: He’s trying to run world’s fastest marathon – backward

In this Nov. 26, 2017, photo provided by Rose Zitomersky, movie production lawyer Loren Zitomersky practices running backward in the San Rafael Hills of northeast Los Angeles. Zitomersky, 33, has embarked on a singular, if odd, quest: At the 2018 Boston Marathon, he'll attempt to break the world record for running the distance backward. Zitomersky is trying to raise money and awareness for a cure for epilepsy. (Rose Zitomersky via AP)

BOSTON – A Los Angeles lawyer has embarked on a singular, if odd, quest: At next month’s Boston Marathon, he’ll attempt to break the world record for running the distance backward.

Loren Zitomersky (zit-oh-MUR’-skee) is known on social media as “Backwards Guy.” He’s trying to raise money and awareness for a cure for epilepsy, which killed a brother he never had a chance to meet.

A runner from China has held the backward marathon record since 2004.

Zitomersky says backward running is as difficult as it sounds. He says it takes 33 per cent more energy and effort than forward running.

And it can hurt. Zitomersky has slammed straight into trees he didn’t see, and he’s taken plenty of nasty falls.