Rhino Boy Chris
{{Short description|British marathon runner and conservationist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Chris Green
| image = Chris Green Rhino Boy - White Star Running Larmer Tree 6.3.22 (51926863390) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Chris Green running as Rhino Boy at a marathon in 2022
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|07|20}}
| birth_place = Christchurch, Dorset, England
| occupation = Removals operator, marathon runner, conservationist
| years_active = 2009–present
| organization = Save the Rhino
| known_for = Charity marathon running and conservation fundraising
}}
Chris Green (born 20 July 1975), known as Rhino Boy Chris, is a British marathon runner and conservationist. An ambassador for Save the Rhino, he is known for completing long-distance races while wearing a rhinoceros costume to raise awareness and funds for rhino conservation. As of April 2025, he has completed over 150 marathons, half-marathons, and ultramarathons for the cause and holds several Guinness World Records.
Early life
Green was born in Christchurch, Dorset, England. At the age of five, during a family trip to Kenya, he developed a fascination with rhinos. Learning about the threats facing rhinoceroses, he became passionate about wildlife conservation from an early age.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-28 |title='Rhino boy Chris' from Christchurch completes London Marathon dressed in 10kg costume |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/25119032.christchurch-man-completes-london-marathon-dressed-rhino/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-25 |title='Rhino Boy' Chris tackles Yorkshire Marathon for charity |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/19666035.rhino-boy-chris-tackles-yorkshire-marathon-charity/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=York Press |language=en}}
Running career and conservation work
In 2009, Green began running marathons to support rhino conservation. That same year, he acquired a custom-built 10 kg rhino costume he named "Spike", which he began wearing during races to attract attention and raise funds.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title='Rhino Boy' Chris completes his 50th marathon - and tops more than £14,000 to help save the rhino |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/20069699.rhino-boy-chris-completes-50th-marathon---tops-14-000-help-save-rhino/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Craven Herald |language=en}}
Since then, Green has participated in more than 150 long-distance events, including half-marathons, marathons, and ultramarathons. He has been featured in numerous media outlets for his dedication to conservation and his distinctive race-day attire.{{Cite web |title=MEET OUR RECORD-BREAKING RHINO-ENTHUSIAST CHRIS |url=https://www.manchestermarathon.co.uk/news/rhino-boy-chris/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Manchester Marathon |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-28 |title=Christchurch man to complete 100th marathon dressed as a rhino |url=https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/24074294.man-fundraises-100th-marathon-dressed-rhino/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Bournemouth Echo |language=en}}
As a committed fundraiser and awareness campaigner, Green has completed various endurance feats beyond standard races, such as:
- Running from London to Oxford (100 miles) in 24 hours{{Cite web |date=2018-11-20 |title=Why this die-hard rhino fan is running 100 miles from London to Oxford in 24 hours |url=https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/17235274.rhino-boy-chris-green-run-london-oxford-24-hours/ |access-date=2025-04-28}}
- A 50-mile ultramarathon along the River Thames
- Virtually climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in his rhino suit during the COVID-19 lockdowns{{Cite web |date=2020-01-29 |title=Chris 'Rhino Boy' Green is running 40 extreme challenges dressed as rhino to save his favourite mammal |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/heritage-and-retro/heritage/chris-rhino-boy-green-is-running-40-extreme-challenges-dressed-as-rhino-to-save-his-favourite-mammal-1743425 |access-date=2025-04-28}}
As of the 2025 London Marathon, Green has completed 113 marathons wearing "Spike", earning him the Guinness World Record for the most marathons run in the same three-dimensional costume (male).{{Cite web |last=Shead |first=Rosie |date=2025-04-27 |title=More than 40 world records broken by London marathon finishers |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/tigst-assefa-london-adele-roberts-peres-jepchirchir-merseyside-b1224584.html |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=The Standard |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-04-27 |title=More than 40 world records broken by London marathon finishers |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/national/25119170.40-world-records-broken-london-marathon-finishers/ |access-date=2025-04-28}} In total, he has raised over £37,000 for Save the Rhino.
Guinness World Records
- **Fastest marathon dressed as a three-dimensional animal (male)** – 4:32:26, 2019 London Marathon{{Cite web |date=2021-10-05 |title=Rhino Boy Chris wins himself a place in the Guinness World Records |url=https://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/19625659.rhino-boy-chris-wins-place-guinness-world-records/ |access-date=2025-04-28 |website=Craven Herald |language=en}}
- **Fastest marathon dressed as a mammal (male)** – 4:06:35, 2021 London Marathon
- **Fastest half marathon dressed as a mammal** – 1:50:05, 2021 Great North Run (record later broken)
- **Most marathons run in the same three-dimensional costume (male)** – 113 marathons, 2025 London Marathon
Other activities
Outside of running, Green works as a removals operator. He is also a children's book author, having published *Matumaini, the Rhino's Hope* in 2020. He regularly visits schools in the UK wearing the rhino costume to educate children about wildlife conservation.{{Cite web |title=Rhino Boy Chris Inspires St Gabriel's pupils |url=https://www.stgabriels.co.uk/newsandevents/news/rhino-boy-chris-inspires-st-gabriels-juniors |access-date=2025-04-28}}
Publications
- *Matumaini, the Rhino's Hope* (2020). {{ISBN|978-1838750091}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category|Chris Green (marathon runner)}}
- [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0hrwnqf Chris Green’s 100th race in rhino costume – BBC Sounds]
{{Authority control}}
Category:British conservationists
Category:British male marathon runners