World Record Attempt For "5 Person Linked Marathon" At Boston

March 27, 2011

    Cincinnati – With over 12,500 miles of training in 2010 and early 2011, the Cincinnati All-Stars are poised to break the World Record* for a five person linked marathon at the Boston Marathon, April 18, 2011.

      To qualify as a linked marathon, all five runners must be tethered together for the entire 26.2 mile run.  Their time will be determined by the first team member to cross the starting line and the last to cross the finish line.  Guinness World Records is tracking the record attempt and will certify the final results.

      The current record of 3:38 was set in 2009 at the London Marathon by a group representing the United Kingdom.  The Cincinnati All-Stars hope to bring the World Record* to the United States. Team Coach CJ Kim predicts a finishing time under three hours.  “Based on their training regimen and recent race results, I predict a finishing time of 2:57.”  This would put them 41 minutes ahead of the current WR.

      The Cincinnati All-Stars have completed over 200 marathons among them.  They consistently win neighborhood races, age division awards and participant medals.  The team members are:

      Scott Bihl, a ten-time Boston finisher with a marathon PR of 2:42.  Bihl is undefeated and ranked #1 nationally in the human-dog, duo running circuit.

      Chris Cavanaugh is the most prolific marathoner on the team with 92 finishes.  Cavanaugh boasts a marathon PR of 2:48, serves as a professional marathon pacer for the Clif Bar Pace Team and is a regional dodgeball champion.

      Rick Dravenstott, the most accomplished team member with 15 consecutive Boston Marathon finishes and a marathon PR of 2:38.  He will serve as the team anchor holding the pivotal “middle spot.” Dravenstott is also a previous Guinness WR holder as part of world's longest banana split made and eaten.

      Mark Ragase, the team’s “up-and-comer” with recent runs of 2:50 for the marathon and 1:14 for the half marathon.  A versatile runner, Ragase placed second in the 2010 Cincinnati Beer Mile.

      David Szeremet, the veteran of the team with a 2:50 marathon PR and over 33 years of semi-competitive running. Szeremet was voted “most likely to be dragged” by his teammates.

      The All-Stars will be sporting Boston Celtics-themed uniforms to boost local morale. 

*While it is anticipated that a World Record will be set, the Cincinnati All-Stars make no warranties or guarantees that the current record will fall.  A marathon is 26.2 miles (42 kilometers) and many perils stand in the way of success including but not limited to: blisters, chafing, drop foot, bonking, abdominal distension, loss of vision, dehydration, sweating, nausea, the desire to be somewhere else, and straight-out quitting.  Boston is universally respected for its challenging course.  It features several hills in the later stages including “Heartbreak Hill,” possibly the most devastating mountain in marathoning. 

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