Martin Parnell

On the morning of Dec. 25 1965, I received one of my favourite Christmas presents ever, a copy of the Guinness Book of World Records.

I had heard about this book from my school friends, who had told me it was amazing. I tore off the wrapping paper and there it was. The book had a shiny cover with glossy pages, filled with incredible pictures and facts.

Flipping through the book, I read about the oldest man, the woman with the longest fingernails, the tallest building, the strangest creatures and the fastest humans on earth.

A little bit of background on the book of records. On 4 May 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of Guinness Breweries, went on a shooting party in the North Slob by the River Slaney in County Wexford, Ireland. He became involved in an argument over which was the fastest game bird in Europe, the koshin golden plover or the grouse. That evening, he realized that it was impossible to confirm in reference books whether or not the golden plover was Europe’s fastest game bird.

Beaver knew that there must be numerous other questions debated nightly in pubs throughout Ireland and Britain. But there was no book in the world which provided all the answers. He realized that a book, supplying these facts, might prove popular.

He discussed this idea with his friend Christopher Chataway, who contacted student twins Norris and Ross McWhirter.

They had been running a fact-finding agency in London. In August 1954, the brothers were commissioned to compile what later became the Guinness Book of World Records.

One thousand copies were printed and given away. Since then the book has gone on to hold a world record of its own, as the best-selling copyrighted book series of all time.

In early 2011, 45 years after I had been given my first copy, I purchased my second one.

I was interested to see if the 250 marathons I had run in 2010 might qualify as a record.

However, after contacting the Guinness people I was told that the record is 106 race marathons, held by Larry Macon of the United States. Only a few of my marathons were official races, so I didn’t meet the criteria.

However, this got me thinking about other records I might attempt and led me to Quests for Kids. These “quests” will be based on sports that children can do in their school or local community. The objective will be to attempt to beat the results in the Guinness Book of World Records in a variety of events.

Martin Parnell will attempt to get into the Guinness Book of World Records by hosting the longest consecutive game of netball later this month. Photo courtesy Martin Parnell

Each quest will encourage children to be active and act as a fundraiser for Right To Play.

My next event is this month. Netball Quest 61 will take place from 5:30 p.m. Sept. 16 to 6:30 a.m. Sept. 19, going 61 hours.

It will be held at South Fish Creek Recreational Complex in Calgary.

However, we need help. We require 24 players and currently have 19.

Also, we need volunteers to serve as witnesses to the attempt. For more information, check out netballalberta.com. Want to be part of history? Send me an e-mail at the address below.

© 2011 Martin Parnell

mjparnell@shaw.ca

www.marathonquest250.com

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