UPDATED 08/28/19 11 a.m.
Paul Brown wants to set The Guinness World Record for completing 150 km (a little over 93 miles) on an elliptical trainer within 12 hours.
This is almost as wild as the world’s largest rubber band ball.
The Bay area father of two will attempt the feat on Thursday, but Brown isn’t doing this for the glory. He’s using this event as a platform as a fundraiser for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Americans Against Opioid Addiction, a local organization assisting individuals and families in the Tampa Bay-area battling opioid addiction.
To prepare for this test of endurance, Brown has been training tirelessly.
“As a 57-year-old single parent of two kids and a challenging career, I am probably one of the least likely people to attempt to set an endurance record like this one,” Brown shared in a recent statement.
The record attempt will take place at Amped Fitness in Largo on Thursday, August 29.
UPDATE: He did it, fam. From a press release: "Paul Brown, award-winning national beverage manager for Front Burner and The Melting Pot and a single father of two kids, has challenged himself to set the Guinness World Record of completing 150 km on an elliptical trainer within a set time frame of 12 hours. Brown has trained extensively over the course of the past six months to not only challenge himself but as a gesture of appreciation for the two charity organizations he believes wholeheartedly in, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Americans Against Opioid Addiction, a local organization assisting individuals and families in Tampa Bay battling opioid addiction."
Brown has created a Fundly in hopes of raising $10,000 before the big event. So far, 29 donors have contributed $6,760.
There will also be a watch party at Arkane Aleworks, which is next door to the gym. After the record attempt, Brown hopes to celebrate with the crowd by having a brew of his own.
“Our Watch Party at Arkane Aleworks will run from 7 p.m. to close and you can enjoy a cold beverage and entertainment while I will be right next door trying to get that record," Brown wrote. "And I can promise that when the event is over at 8:30, I will be quenching my thirst by joining in for a beverage or two.”
To donate to Brown’s cause, visit his Clearwater 100 – Ultimate Elliptical Challenge Fundly page.
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This article appears in Aug 15-22, 2019.