Setting Guinness World Records has become a regular pastime for Cochrane’s Marathon Man Martin Parnell, so why not shake things up a bit?
At this year’s Calgary Marathon, Parnell will do just that, by attempting to set a brand-new world record by running the 42.2 km in a full lacrosse uniform in under four hours.
“I love marathons and I love lacrosse, so I thought why not try and set a Guinness World Record wearing the uniform of Canada’s national sport,” said Parnell.
Having run the London Marathon April 21, Parnell said he is ready to tackle the challenge before him, and has since been practising in a full lacrosse kit.
“I’ve been running around the loop up at West Pointe,” he said. “I’ve had a few funny looks. Last week, I did my longest session in the gear, four hours and 32 km.”
The biggest challenge Parnell believes he will have to overcome is the weather.
“Wearing the helmet is like having your brain in a slow-cooker,” said Parnell, admitting that if temperatures are in the 20-25 C range for the May 26 event, he may not be able to keep going. “I’m hoping it will be cool. Even a little snow wouldn’t be too bad.”
Though snow is not unheard of in May for Calgary, the current long-range forecast is calling for a high of 19 C with cloud coverage and chance of rain.
“I was hoping there wouldn’t be a time limit on the run, so I could jog along and wave to the crowd,” Parnell said. “This won’t happen. Guinness has said that it has to be done in less than four hours.”
Parnell said he had been considering running the Calgary Marathon in a uniform for some time, as he had discovered that in 2012 over $85 million was raised for charity by individuals attempting to break world records wearing costumes.
Parnell, who is also a Cochrane Eagle columnist, is no stranger to adversity and getting his name in the record books in a lacrosse uniform.
On April 27, 2012, Parnell and a group of 41 participants broke the record for longest game of lacrosse played, with 24-straight hours of action.
Like all of Parnell’s adventurous endeavours, his latest Guinness attempt is to bring awareness to his charitable organization Right to Play, which raises money and offers children around the world a chance to be active in an array of sports. Perhaps his most impressive feat was in 2010, when Parnell accomplished Marathon Quest 250, running 250 marathons in one year, coving a total distance of 10,550 km and wearing out 25 pairs of shoes in the process.
Though his next challenge may seem painless in comparison, Parnell knows it won’t be easy.
“I really don’t know if I can do it,” he said, “but all you can do is give it a go.”
For more on Right to Play or to make a donation, visit righttoplay.ca.
