Two charity fundraisers have smashed the world record for the longest ever game of squash – clocking up an incredible 38 hours and 24 seconds.
Businessman Len Granger and property developer Jamie Barnett raised £4,000 for charities St Paul’s Hostel in Worcester and the Hospices UK cause with their gruelling marathon match.
The pair played squash continuously at Barnt Green Sports Club starting at 7am on September 4 and finally calling it a day at 9pm on September 5.
They both had to go through a rigorous training and eating programme to boost their fitness while raising vital sponsorship online – generously supported by sponsors mfg Solicitors, Essential Marketer, Arden Estate Agents and Printigo.
The challenge at the Margesson Drive club saw Len and Jamie beat the 35 hours and three minutes recorded by New Zealanders Adam Fisher and Darren Yates in Perth, Australia, in April this year.
Len said: “I still can’t believe that we’ve done it. After about seven hours, we were exhausted but still so short of the record, it got very tough. The amount of support we had from people we’d never seen before and who had probably never been to a squash court before was electrifying. People were watching us live on the internet and sending their support via comments on YouTube, all of which helped to keep us going. I have to admit I started crying a bit at 37 hours when I realised that we’d broken the record and were only an hour short of the goal we had set for our own.”
Jamie added: “Len and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who committed themselves to witnessing, steward, marking, massaging, operating cameras and more through the event. We also want to thank our amazing sponsors and the University of Worcester for putting us through the fitness regime that helped us achieve the record. The generosity and enthusiasm from everyone has been nothing short of incredible.”
The pair kept themselves going with drinks and snacks brought to them on the court – with short five minute refreshment and massage breaks every hour – allowed under the Guinness Book of Records regulations.
Maynard Burton, chairman of sponsors mfg Solicitors, who himself is an experienced squash player, said: “What Len and Jamie have achieved is beyond incredible. For many people staying awake for 38 hours is a gruelling challenge in itself but to be playing such a high energy sport the whole time makes it even more so. I have no idea how they did it but we are all extremely proud of them, and the way they have raised so much money for such important causes.”
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