More than 200,000 enthusiasts across the globe are today aiming to break some weird and wonderful world records — and set new ones, too — on the annual Guinness World Records Day.
Participants young and old will take part in wacky record attempts, such as the longest time to juggle three objects underwater, the heaviest road vehicle pulled by the teeth and the largest gathering of ‘Wizard of Oz’ characters.
The global event, now in its sixth year, is a way to encourage the public that they can do something truly unique, organizers say.
“You don’t have to be a stunt man or daredevil to take part in Guinness World Records Day,” said Craig Glenday, the editor-in-chief of the Guinness World Records.
“The point of the day is to celebrate the joy of record-breaking and have a go at that record you’ve always wanted to attempt,” he added.
Any records set on Guinness World Records day are short-listed for inclusion in next year’s edition of the famous book, of which 100 million copies have sold since the first edition was published in 1955.
60 seconds with …
Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of the Guinness World Records.
What is the Guinness World Records Day?
We decided to host an international day to encourage record-breaking across the globe. In the past, our organization remained very closed to the public — but today, since the advent of the Internet, we encourage people who have an appetite for record-breaking to prove their worth.
Some people may say that attempting to break records could result in harm to participants and others …
We don’t approve of silly or unethical attempts like the most times to stab oneself in the stomach. We have stopped accepting records involving cruelty toward animals and children.
This is your seventh year as editor-in-chief of the book. Are you a record-breaking buff yourself?
I had the most radio interviews in 12 hours, which totaled 52.
Is there anyone that struck you as a truly unique record-breaker?
One of the most inspirational record-breakers I have met has been (56-year-old American) Ashrita Furman, who currently holds 121 world records, and who has set 315 in his lifetime. I first met him in Barcelona where he was training to set a record for the farthest distance pushing an orange with his nose. He researched the best, firmest type of orange for the feat and learned the best technique.
