LOLZletter Edition 37 | World Records and More
Welcome!
Hopefully, you have beautiful fall weather. This is my final week before the New York City Marathon. Many people have asked but I don't have a goal for the race, I plan to do it more like a long run. Last week I wrote a blog about training and included why marathoning wasn't my "thing."
I'm looking forward to running the New York City Marathon but I'm also looking forward to closing the marathon training chapter of my life (for a while).
Anyway, Back to the Newsletter:
This week's newsletter is meant to be a break from running knowledge and facts that I usually post. I thought it would be fun to explore some of the world records. Not the usual "fastest marathon," "fastest mile," etc. but some interesting records that quite frankly I had no idea existed. I found these records in the Guinness Book of World Records.
I was inspired by the recent record set running a half marathon in a banana suit.
First Organized Running Race: The earliest evidence of organized running was in Memphis, Egypt c. 3800 BC.
Fastest Races:
Fastest Recorded Ant: The Saharan Silver Ant of northern Africa can reach speeds of 85.5 centimeters per second – or 108 times its body length. By contrast, the world's fastest man, Usain Bolt, ran at 5.35 times his body height per second during his record-breaking 100 m sprint in 2009.
Fastest Time to Lace a Shoe (One of my least favorite aspects of working in run specialty): Jane Pearce achieved 22.83 seconds at the Vitality Westminster Mile in London, UK on 27 May 2018.
100 Miles on a Treadmill Female: 14 hours, 15 minutes, 8 seconds, achieved by Edit Bérces (Hungary) in Budapest, Hungary on 8-9 March 2004.
100 Miles on a Treadmill Male: It appears this record is open to someone to apply! It could be you.
Fastest Recorded Miles:
The fastest mile run backward: 5:54.25, achieved by Aaron Yoder in Lindsborg, Kansas on 23 November 2015. This record is fun to watch too.
Fastest Mile in Antarctica: 4:17.9, achieved by Paul Robinson (Ireland) on 25 November 2017.
Fastest 1-mile run wearing swim fins: 5:48.86, achieved by Zachary Miller at Brunswick High School, Brunswick, Maine on 1 July 2014.
Fastest mile holding hands (mixed): 4:50, achieved by Stephanie Twell and Joe Morwood at the Vitality Westminster Mile, in London, UK on 26 May 2019.
The fastest mile for a marching band: 14:26, achieved by MSC Cruises and the Imperial Military Band aboard the cruise ship MSC Splendida in Southampton, England on1 September 2015.
Largest:
Largest Charity Run/Walk: 283,171 people, achieved by Iglesia ni Cristo - Church of Christ (Philippines) in Manila, Philippines on 6 May 2018.
Largest thong sandal race: 1,641 people, achieved by nOg Run Club (USA) in Cary, North Carolina on 8 June 2019. (Does anyone else's feet hurt thinking about this?)
Largest high heel race: 967 participants at an event organized by Women's Bureau, Inc. (USA) at Headwaters Park in Fort Wayne, Indiana on 11 September 2010. The attempt raised funds to support counseling for victims of sexual assault in Fort Wayne.
Largest 5k: 86,549 people in an event organized by the Visakhapatnam District Olympic Association in Visakhapatnam, India on 23 June 2013. (I can't even imagine how jam-packed it must have been!)
Largest racing event: 116,086 at the Run for the Pasig River in Manila, Philippines on 10 October 2010. The event consisted of three races: 3k, 5k, and 10k (all on different routes).
Longest
Longest Race: 1929 trans-continental race from New York City to Los Angeles, California (3,635 miles). Johnny Salo was the winner in 1929 in 79 days, from 31 March to 17 June.
Marathon Records:
The fastest marathon barefoot: 2:15.16.2, achieved by Abebe Bikila (Ethiopia) at the Olympic Games in Rome, Italy on 10 September 1960.
The fastest marathon dressed as a gingerbread man: 3:14.15, achieved by Ben Armstrong at the 2016 Chevron City to Surf Marathon, in Perth, Australia on 28 August 2016.
The longest scarf knitted while running a marathon: 12 feet 1.75 inches knitted by David Babcock at the Kansas City Marathon in Kansas City, Missouri, USA on 19 October 2013.
The most marathons run by a married couple: 1,050, achieved by David and Linda Major (both UK).
The tallest costume worn in a marathon: 26 feet 2 inches, achieved by David Lawrenson (UK) dressed as the Blackpool Tower at the 2012 Virgin London Marathon on 22 April 2012.
Oldest female to complete a marathon: 92 years, 19 days by Gladys Burrill (USA) at the Honolulu Marathon on 12 December 2010.
Fastest Marathon in a six-person costume: 5:59:33. Comprised of Charlie Farge, Ceyhun Uzan, Rob Jones, Dave Brennan, Helen Smith, and Andy Moulden. Check out a photo here.
Fastest marathon dressed in a full-body dinosaur outfit (male): 3:08.07, achieved by Ben Evans (UK) at the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon.
The fastest marathon by a marching band: 6:56.48 seconds, achieved by the Huddersfield Marathon Band (UK) at the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon 13 April 2014. After having their original World Record broken in 2011 by a German marching band, Mike Lomas and his team returned to London to reclaim their crown. (Apparently marching band world records are competitive!)
Most:
Most marathons completed in one year: 239, achieved by Larry Macon (USA) from 1 December 2012 to 30 November 2013.
Most T-shirts worn during a marathon: 51, achieved by David Smith (UK) in Telford, UK on 2 March 2019. (There doesn't seem to be a distinction between cotton t-shirts versus tech t-shirts!)
I hope you enjoyed these tidbits as much as I did. Plus, who knows, if you are ever in jeopardy you might be able to use them.
What's Keeping Me Entertained:
Nike Oregon Project athletes working with coach Pete Julian will stay together
41-Year-Old Runner Is Topping Masters Podiums Two Years After Hip Replacement
Maggie Guterl Ran 250 Miles to Win Big's Backyard Ultra
The Morning Shakeout: Podcast: Episode 82 with Jesse Williams. I appreciated the insight with the running industry and marketing. It went into depth about choosing influencers over professional runners.
A Generation’s Leader Says Farewell: Shalane Flanagan Retires from Pro Running
Shoe Review of the Week: New Balance 1400v6 (Racing flat for any distance from the 5k to the marathon)
Giveaway:
As I get ready for the New York City Marathon, I thought I’d give away $150 worth of my favorite compression and recovery socks: CEP. I’m living in them this week to keep my calves, shins, and feet happy.
I wrote a post a while back about why I liked CEP compression and if compression socks "worked". To enter the giveaway, share this newsletter and what world record surprised you the most.
Make sure to tag me or email me to let me know you did.
Finally, thank you to everyone who shares and helps the newsletter grow, I couldn't have done it without you. We are 5 subscribers away from 1100. Sharing is the best way to help support the newsletter and keep it growing.
As always, thank you for reading and if you have any comments, you can email me at FueledbyLOLZ@gmail.com. All feedback is helpful, good or bad.
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