The Guinness World Record for the longest, continuous running relay has been broken as the final baton holder crossed the finish line of the I Move London Relay at Tower Bridge, London.
The relay, which took place continuously for 30 days and 30 nights, saw 2,000 participants from all over the UK run 5k and 10k legs through day and night to complete the 4,014.52 mile course – beating the previous record by 510 miles.
The I Move London Relay, brainchild of ex-GB Triathlete Danny Bent and powered by ASICS, started on Friday, June 29, with the ambition of uniting London communities, raising funds for charity and breaking the previous record held by Keep on Running (Ireland), in 2012.
As well as breaking the previous record and bringing hundreds of people together through running, the challenge has raised over £50,000 for its charity partners – The Running Charity, Laureus and Sported – helping to improve the lives of countless young people who are affected by homelessness, gang culture and mental health.
Runners came from all corners of the UK to run with ‘Rod’, the baton, and in all sorts of guises: from blind runners with guides to those in fancy dress during Pride, night runners to father and son duo’s, wheelchair pushing carers to after-work running groups and even World Cup fans who managed to watch games from an iPad wearing marshal. The relay also drew sporting stars including Daley Thomspon, former British heptathlete and Victoria Pendleton, former track cyclist.
Victoria Pendleton, Laureus Ambassador and Olympic cycling star, said: “As a Laureus Ambassador, I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in the I Move London Relay. I was lucky enough to run a leg earlier this week and the positive atmosphere surrounding the event was infectious. We are so thankful that funds raised will help enable Laureus Sport for Good to support more programmes using sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage around the world.”
Danny Bent, founder of the I Move London Relay, says: “The best thing about the relay has been watching people from all walks of life come together to help create something historical. That and raising over £50,000 for some of the most brilliant charities.
“I’m so proud of every single person that has taken part in our record-breaking relay – the runners, the volunteers, the marshals. All of them have totally demonstrated that with a bit of collaboration amazing feats can be accomplished and a lot of happiness generated. And that’s just what I wanted to give back to London, to show that all communities can live and work together no matter of where we come from or what we do.”
The relay was powered by sport performance brand, ASICS, which has roots that run deep in communities and sport. ASICS was founded with a philosophy that movement helps both physical and mental wellbeing.
Cathy McGinnis, Marketing Manager ASICS U, said: “We’re delighted that the relay has reached the finish line and not one person dropped the baton! ASICS partnered with the I Move London relay as part of our mission to help get the world moving – it’s been a pleasure to see so many runners and volunteers join and support great causes. Well done to everyone who has taken part.”
Alex Eagle, founder of The Running Charity, added: “We’re very proud to be part of a World Record breaking team and grateful for every person that’s laced up and run in support of the charities – it has shown that through running people can make a real change. At The Running Charity we believe that running can transform lives and with the funds raised we’ll be able to help even more young people who experience homelessness. On behalf of all our young people, coaches and volunteers, thank you.”
Hamid Vaghefian, London Regional Manager at Sported, said: ”Congratulations! It’s been brilliant to watch the relay capture the public’s imagination and to see in front of us how sport truly has the power to bring people together. All of us at Sported, are very grateful to have been a partner of the I Move London Relay and we’d like to thank everyone who ran through London, those who donated and the marshals who stood day and night welcoming runners in. Community and sport at its best.”
