Longest Marathon Billiards Match-world record
set by Brian Lilley and Daniel Maloney
SPRING LAKE, N.C., USA -- Brian Lilley and
Daniel Maloney played billiards for more than 600 consecutive
games of billiards in a 52 hours span at the VFW Post 9103-setting
the world record for the Longest
Marathon Billiards Match.
Photo: Brian Lilley and his buddy Daniel
Maloney. / Photo by Cassandra Locke/B & C Advertising
(enlarge
photo)
“I am relieved now,” said Lilley after getting
the e-mail notification. “I’m happy we did it, it was well
worth it.”
Lilley and Maloney worked together as ammunitions
troops at Pope Air Force Base, NC, and found a common interest
7 years ago—billiards.
The record to break was 50 hours and two minutes.
Under World Record guidelines, the men
were allowed five minutes every hour to eat and drink or go
to the bathroom. Their strategy included accumulating their
breaks for when fatigue heavily set in.
“The first twenty-four hours was the toughest,”
said Maloney. “Then after the thirty-six-hour mark it got
even tougher.”
They took a total of six 5-minute breaks and
one 15-minute break. What kept them going was water, electrolytes,
snacking on bananas and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,
and the support of the spectators.
The guidelines state that there has to
be at least two independent witnesses at a time and a nurse
for every four hours of play to ensure the players were physically
able to continue the marathon without injuring themselves.
"A lot of people put a lot of time and resources
into this effort and we appreciate everyone’s support,” said
Lilley.
What started out as an individual effort
to fulfill the dream of breaking the record turned into an
event the local community and Lilley’s second family, the
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9103, of which he is a life-member,
embraced.
The idea then evolved into a fundraiser for the
post’s building expansion efforts. The Airmen and B & C Advertising
raised more than $400 for the committee from sponsorships,
donations and a 50/50 raffle drawing.
“What better way to fulfill this dream than to
share the opportunity with my family and friends and raise
money for a worthy cause,” said Lilley.
“Our post is honored to have been able to
take part in this event,” said Dave Hamel, VFW Post
9103 member commander, and former 23rd Fighter Group chief
enlisted manager.
