Friday, May 23, 2014
Most Marathons on 7 Continents in 1 Year: Trent Morrow sets world record (VIDEO)
BONDI BEACH, Australia -- Between April 2013 and April 2014, Trent Morrow, 40, successfully completed 160 official marathons across 7 continents, 12 countries and 39 States across the USA, setting the new world record for the Most Marathons on 7 Continents in 1 Year,
according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/.
Photo: "The ultimate goal was to run 160 marathons across all 7 Continents over a 365 day period and in the process do something that has never been done before to establish a new world record. Many people doubted this was possible, although I had a real purpose and was determined… Now I've done it."
(enlarge photo)
The Guinness world record for the most marathons completed in one year by a male was 114 by Traviss Willcox (UK) between 1 January and 31 December 2011.
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the most marathons run on consecutive days: 52 - achieved by Akinori Kusuda (Japan) on the Besshonuma Park Jogging Course, Saitama, Japan, from 30 January to 22 March 2009.
Speaking from The Boston Marathon finish line, where he had just completed marathon number 160 across 7 Continents over the last year, Morrow said: "This is a very emotional occasion and I'm really looking forward to coming home to Australia", Morrow said.
"I've been on the road for the past 16 months and I'm really looking forward to bringing the World Record home and enjoying the support of an Australian crowd."
Marathons completed on home soil in 2013 include 8 marathons run in 14 days in the 3 marathons in 3 Days in Far North Queensland tropical rainforest of Cairns, the scenic holiday paradise at the Gold Coast Marathon, three marathons across the challenging Simpson Desert and a marathon in Morrow's home town Sydney.
The remaining marathons were completed around the world, a logistical challenge never before attempted in such a timeframe across countries including Scotland, Sweden, England, Ireland, France, Germany, South Africa, Chile, Canada, United States, Dubai, Tel Aviv, and Italy.
Morrow said, "The ultimate goal was to run 160 marathons across all 7 Continents over a 365 day period and in the process do something that has never been done before to establish a new world record. Many people doubted this was possible, although I had a real purpose and was determined… Now I've done it."
He has pulled off the challenge of making it to the start line of 161 marathons, flying around the globe more than 200,000 miles, driving more than 30,000 miles, travelling by train more than 2,260 miles and by sea more than 1,240 miles covering a total distance close to 250,000 miles to achieve the incredible goal.
This travel schedule is simply out of this world and then this inspiring former Sales Manager runs an average of three marathons every week covering more than 5,240 miles during the 2013 - 2014 challenge that concludes at the iconic Boston Marathon on 21 April.
Morrow's goal was not just about attempting a new World Record, though. The inspiration behind his mission was as a tribute to the memory of his Mom, Kay Morrow who lost her brave battle with bowel cancer 20 years ago and more recently to support his Step Mom, Carol Morrow who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and unfortunately lost her battle in March 2013 while Morrow was pursuing the challenge.
This significant achievement is on a scale never seen prior with the challenge of bringing together the logistics of making the start line for each event something that will go down in history.
The challenge has been extreme with many overnight travels between marathons and limited sleep time presenting the ultimate physical test and the practical financial realities a battle of survival day in day out.
"There have been no guarantees from the start of this journey with the finances and logistics the major challenge. The ability to keep moving forward and finding a way to each start line around the globe has been a phenomenal challenge like nothing ever seen.
In many ways this has been a journey of faith with many in the running community donating funds, accommodation and assisting with transport to see the dream realised."
"I am not an elite athlete and it was only a few years ago that I was 30kg overweight and working crazy hours with no balance in my life. I wanted to show that anything is possible when you want it bad enough and hopefully inspire others to follow their dreams. We only get one chance to be in this incredible world and it is all about leaving a footprint for the next generation."
"The focus I had on my career had caused me to lose sight of my health and with no regular fitness schedule, poor diet had resulted in me gaining weight and suffering from a lack of energy.
Fortunately, I recognised that it was time for me to take personal responsibility and change my life for the better. So in 2007, I made a decision to change my life. Now I hope to inspire others that it really is possible to transform themselves and embrace a healthy and active lifestyle.
"Running marathons has helped me reduce my weight from 120kg in 2006 to less than 90kg now.
I am certainly not your stereotypical runner [Trent is 6' 2'" or 187cm] I want to show people you don't have to have a physique like a Kenyan to do it."
Why the superhero outfit?
"It has been part of building a recognisable brand. I needed to stand out to promote the cause and subtly suggest that everyone can be your own superhero at whatever they choose to do, like "Marathon Man".
It all started with a chance meeting with the Sydney Roosters legend Brad Fittler in early 2008. I mentioned the idea of creating the Marathon Man uniform and Fittler encouraged me to 'make up the suit' prior to training with the team during the pre season.
What is your attitude to other competitors running lots of marathons?
"There is a deep respect for anyone that takes on the marathon distance. This is a clear world first with the number of marathon races and people competing in these major marathon events around the world providing the real test.
I am extremely proud to have completed the majority of events in major city marathons as opposed to many that may share or create small events to simply run the distance with a few friends and family."
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Fastest 100 meters egg and spoon race world record set by Sally Pearson
Fastest mile hopping: Joseph Scavone breaks Guinness world record
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Longest Distance in One Minute on Crutches: Tameru Zegeye
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Largest rain boot race: Ketchikan breaks Guinness world record
Longest distance bounced on a Space Hopper: Phoebe Asquith breaks Guinness world record
Most Step-ups in One Minute with a 40-lb Pack: Bob Natoli breaks Guinness world record
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Fastest Marathon dressed as a lifeguard: Carl Smith breaks Guinness world record
Fastest time while dressed as a dairy product: Joe D'Amico breaks Guinness world record
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Fastest 10km run while pushing a pram: Dougal Thorburn breaks Guinness world record
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Largest Zumba class: Brigshaw High school sets world record
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Largest Fitness Circuit: Cowichan sets world record (Video)
Fastest marathon dressed as a book character: David Stone sets world record
Greatest distance run on a treadmill in one week: Sharon Gayter sets world record (Video)
Oldest triathlete: Arthur Gilbert
Oldest marathon runner: Fauja Singh (Video)
Most star jumps in one minute: Joey McFarland sets world record
Largest piggy back race: History Maker Foundation sets world record
Highest Running Box Jump: Ryan Moody (Video)
Fastest marathon by a linked team: Manhattan men
Most consecutive days running an ultra marathon: Andy McMenemy (HD Video)
Fastest marathon wearing a gas mask: Staff Sgt. Marc Dibernardo
Fastest 100 x 5 km relay: The Charlotte Running Club
Heaviest Person to Complete a Marathon: Kelly Gneiting (Video)
Fastest running nonagenarian: 95-Year-Old Ida Keeling (Video)
Most marathons run on consecutive days: Stefaan Engels
Fastest running centenarian: Miyazaki Hidekichi
Most consecutive push-ups: wrestler Munir Ahmed
Fastest Human Crab Walker: Cameron Jones
Oldest female marathon finisher: Gladys Burrill
Largest Resistance Band Class: Sheraton New York
Most marathons in a year: Yolanda Holder
Largest physical education class: Ga. students
Most fitness records broken in a day: Stephen Buttler
Longest distance run in 365 days: Serge Girard
Longest distance run in seven days on a treadmill: Mimi Anderson
Fastest
Lunge Mile: Jamasen Rodriguez
11
marathons in 11 days: Kalyn Jolivette
Fastest
mile in a bomb suit: SSgt Owen Duff
Longest
Non-stop walking hill marathon: Emil Ilic
Fastest
10K race: Hillary Kimaiyo
Highest
Standing Box Jump: Ryan Moody
Fastest
mile in a bomb suit: Lt. Jonathan Kehoe
Longest
solo run around US perimeter: Reza Balunchi
Most
people running in a "Stiletto Sprint'': Australia
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